The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division has expressed serious concern over the reported recruitment activities by the communist group in schools, urging an immediate halt to these actions.
In a statement, the Army condemned the “aggressive actions” of the communist group after recruitment materials, allegedly distributed by the Kabataang Makabayan (KM), were discovered at two state universities in Iloilo.
The University of the Philippines Visayas’ student publication “Pagbutlak” reported on its official Facebook page that propaganda materials and KM stickers were found in various areas in the campus on Dec. 6.
Similarly, Forum-Dimensions, the student publication of West Visayas State University, confirmed that similar materials were discovered on its campus the same day.
Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, described the recruitment efforts as a desperate attempt by the communist group to find prospective leaders following the deaths of high-ranking leaders in recent encounters.
“Our students are particularly vulnerable to these deceptive tactics,” Sison said.
“We cannot afford to let even one student be misled into wasting their life fighting for a futile cause. We will not allow this to happen.”
Sison urged educational institutions in Panay to take stronger measures to prevent the infiltration and recruitment within their campuses.
“Investigations should be launched to identify those responsible for distributing these recruitment materials, with appropriate administrative action taken, if necessary,” he said.
The Army also plans to bring the issue before the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, for a “coordinated, inter-agency approach to stop the group’s recruitment of youth.”
Sison expressed hope that students would reflect on the tragic consequences faced by those recruited into the New People’s Army, urging them to learn from these experiences.Perla Lena/PNA
