Bukidnon teachers form 'core group' vs. NPA recruitment

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 23, 2019): Bukidnon teachers form 'core group' vs. NPA recruitment

IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon – In a bold move aimed at countering the recruitment activities of communist rebels in schools, the military facilitated the creation of a "core group" of teachers in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, on Monday.

In a press statement on Tuesday, the Army's 8th Infantry Battalion said the "core group" dubbed "Sandigan Teachers" was created following a symposium at the Malaybalay City National Science High School, as part of the Army's regular education and information campaign.

"Sandigan Teachers", 8IB said, primarily aim to protect the students, faculty, and the school's non-teaching personnel from possible NPA recruitment.
It said members of the group have also volunteered to support students’ activities for peace promotion and counter NPA propaganda in schools.

During the symposium, Army officials and representatives from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) in Region 10 discussed the methods on how the NPA recruits students inside schools, 8IB said.

John Rarogal, school principal, vowed to support peace initiatives that hone the youth to become productive individuals of the community.

"Wherever we look at, every success and failure of an individual finds its roots from the family. And we are part of that family. We must see to it that we contribute to their success and not on their failures," Rarogal said.

Lt. Colonel Ronald Illana, 8IB commander, underscored the role of the academe in preventing NPA recruitment in schools.

“We believe that through the genuine commitment of our schools, teachers, parents and students, we will be able to prevent unwanted loss of innocent lives. Our children are our future. We need to build them strong and resilient. Thus, we must not allow the NPAs to touch them and use them for their personal interests," Illana said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1083953