Troops uncover 'NPA recruitment' in Zambo Norte school

From the Philippine News Agency (May 19): Troops uncover 'NPA recruitment' in Zambo Norte school

The military has uncovered alleged recruitment activities by the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in schools in remote areas in the nearby province of Zamboanga del Norte.

Lt. Col. Virgilio Hamos Jr., Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion commander, on Friday said the recruitment by NPAs in schools was discovered by soldiers participating in the conduct of "Brigada Eskwela," or the National Schools Maintenance Week,.

Brigada Eskwela brings together concerned stakeholders in repairing and preparing schools for the school opening in June.

Hamos said troops from the battalion's Alpha Company, led by 1Lt. Sotero Abrito III, on Wednesday found a sack full of books and NPA propaganda materials at the elementary school in Barangay Bagumbayan, Sergio Osmeña, Zamboanga del Norte.

At first, Hamos said the troops dumped the sack mistaking it contained trash left by the Brigada Eskwela participants.

However, the soldiers opened the sack when they noticed it contained books and other reading materials.

Among the books they found were "Primer Para sa Gawaing Paralegal Sa Kanayunan," "Special Nga Kursong Pangmasa," "Demokratikong Rebulosyon Sa Katawhan," and, "Araling Aktibista.”

“These [books] and reading materials are known to be used by the NPAs in indoctrinating and training new recruits and mass bases,” Hamos said.

Hamos strongly believed the NPAs are possibly targeting to indoctrinate and recruit school children.

“It appears that the NPAs are taking advantage of the innocence of the youths [in recruiting them],” he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/989326