ILOILO City – The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division (3ID) has condemned the recruitment activities of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in schools, following the discovery of recruitment materials allegedly circulated by the underground youth movement Kabataang Makabayan (KM) at the West Visayas State University and the University of the Philippines – Visayas.
Major General Marion Sison, commander of the 3ID, expressed deep concern over the CTG’s aggressive tactics. He warned that the group’s use of propaganda and misinformation could exploit vulnerable students and lead them to join the New People’s Army (NPA).
“We recognize that these recruitment efforts are a desperate move by the CTG to find new cadres and leaders following the deaths of their top leaders in recent encounters. We cannot allow even one student to be lured into this futile cause,” Sison said.
Sison called on educational institutions in Panay Island to take proactive steps in preventing CTG infiltration. He urged schools to investigate those responsible for distributing recruitment materials and to impose appropriate sanctions if necessary.
He also stressed the importance of collaboration with government forces to safeguard students from the CTG’s influence.
“Our schools should be safe havens, free from the insidious influence of terrorist groups. School officials must work closely with authorities to stop these recruitment activities. The future and lives of our youth are at stake,” he added.
Sison emphasized the tragic consequences of joining the CTG, citing the loss of dreams and lives of students who became NPA members.
“I hope our youth learn from the stories of those who were recruited. Most of them are now gone, and their dreams and lives were destroyed,” he said.
The 3ID plans to bring this issue to the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC 6) to ensure a coordinated inter-agency approach in addressing youth recruitment by the CTG.
Authorities are now monitoring educational institutions to prevent further recruitment activities and protect students from exploitation./PN
