Slain 'Morong 43' member on a recruiting drive in Bulacan when killed

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 23): Slain 'Morong 43' member on a recruiting drive in Bulacan when killed

The military said Friday that "Morong 43" member Ramon Dela Cruz was on a recruitment drive when killed during an encounter with government security forces in Dona Remedios, Bulacan last Aug. 9.

This was disclosed by AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala.

Investigations revealed that Dela Cruz and his fellow NPAs were recruiting new members for "Samahang Yunit Propaganda" when chanced upon by soldiers.

The rebel unit's goal is to agitate, organize and mobilize the public against the government, Zagala added.

Dela Cruz's body was claimed by his parents Ramon Santos Dela Cruz and mother Rosita.

The SYP, in which Dela Cruz is a member, usually targets minors and students for their potential recruits.

Zagala said recruitment normally begins at the start of classes particularly during freshmen orientations.

They will initially befriend their target and eventually expose them to public demonstrations, mass protests and rallies, and advance studies on communism.

After undergoing six months to two years of Basic Mass Integration, candidate members are now ready to join the higher ranks of the NPAs.

Prior to the arrest of the "Morong 43" in 2010, Dela Cruz was a medic of the Sangay Partido para sa Platoon, an organized armed unit of the NPA operating in Bulacan since 2006 per revelations of rebel returnees, and as confirmed by Dela Cruz himself in a custodial debriefing report which was submitted as evidence in court.

He was shielded by well-meaning advocates who were led to believe that they were health workers.

Thus making it appear that they were “victims.”

All the while, Dela Cruz was still a part of the larger scheme of the NPA which seeks to sabotage peace and economic growth of the country.

"In return, such cloaking led to his freedom and subsequently led to his return to the NPA. These are deceitful tactics of the NPA which our people must be made aware of," Zagala added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=558061