Anti-communist terrorist campaign commences for MisOr youth

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 9, 2021): Anti-communist terrorist campaign commences for MisOr youth (By 1LT JEFFERSON M MARIANO (INF) PA) 

CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental, April 9 --The 58th Infantry Dimalulupig Battalion (IB) conducted a three-day online information drive to the students of St. Peter’s College of Balingasag through video teleconferencing (VTC), March 29 -31.

Recognizing that communist insurgency has lasted for decades, the 58IB considers the CPP-NPA-NDF poses a major threat to the youth of Misamis Oriental, thus it is initiating an awareness campaign in the province’s universities and colleges.

The information drive, dubbed “Lamang ang May Alam: An Anti CPP-NPA-NDF Youth Recruitment Online Info Drive” is designed for senior high school and college students as they are the targets of NPA recruitment, as it makes the schools platforms in its recruitment activities.

Many seemingly harmless student organizations have ulterior motive of deceiving the young to support the CPP-NPA-NDF’s cause, and ultimately enter the armed struggle, falling victim to the pitfalls of the enemy, the government forces observed.

During the first wave of the information drive, the 58IB was able to reach out to approximately 300 students of St. Peter’s College of Balingasag, and delivered lectures on the Army and the Government’s interventions in coping with communist insurgency in the country against the CPP-NPA-NDF’s recruitment schemes.

The primary objective was to educate students about youth recruitment schemes and persuade them not to help or join the CPP-NPA-NDF in any way; the secondary objective was to have the students informed on the government’s efforts in fighting insurgency and protecting the youth.

The activity became very engaging between the students and the 58IB troops, with many of themsaying they were unaware of the CPP-NPA-NDF’s manipulative methods in exploiting their personal issues in order to convince them to enter the Communist Terrorist Group. Some of them also shread their opinions through an online survey.

“They're only destroying the youth. They are destroying our country. For them, no government is doing its job because they wanted to take the lead. Leading to what? To insurgency, to killing innocents and recruiting the youth and bring to the mountains. I urge the communist terrorist group to stop using our vulnerabilities by deceiving us into joining their cause. Stop your propaganda. Stop the killings. Stop the deceptions. Stop the lies. Stop recruiting minors," one of the students said.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Ricky L Canatoy, Commanding Officer of 58IB expressed appreciation to the students and the school for their support and for allowing the 58IB to conduct an information drive.

“We are doing this activity to warn you of the CPP-NPA-NDF's true intentions, which is to kill and harm the future of our youth. ‘Ang Kabataan ang pag-asa ng Bayan,' as Dr. Jose Rizal put it. I hope you can stand up to it and do what is best for you, which is doing the right thing. Be wise on your choices. There may be social issues and injustices that the CTG uses as propaganda, but rest assured that, in the midst of the pandemic, the government is working hand in hand to ensure the delivery of services to the people, and particularly to deter the growth of this terrorist group that continues to threaten the state's sovereignty. This is only the beginning, as 58IB envisions thal all colleges and universities in Misamis Oriental be informed and aware on the CPP/NPA/NDF’s recruitment schemes," he said. (403Bgde/PA)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1071597