Kalinaw News: Caraga RTF-ELCAC SAKM Cluster, Caraga State University Agrees to Prevent NPA Recruitment

From Kalinaw News (May 31, 2021): Caraga RTF-ELCAC SAKM Cluster, Caraga State University Agrees to Prevent NPA Recruitment

BANCASI, Butuan City – The Situational Awareness and Knowledge Management Cluster (SAKM) of the Caraga Regional Task Force Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict conducted a courtesy call and dialogue with the President and other key officials of Caraga State University (CSU) to prevent NPA recruitment in the said school on May 27, 2021, at CSU Conference Room, Amazon Campus, Brgy Ampayon, Butuan City.

The National Intelligence Coordinating Council (NICA) 10 as the lead agency of the SAKM cluster in close coordination with the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade facilitated the said activity to solicit strong partnership and commitment from the CSU leadership in the implementation of Executive Order 70 particularly the conduct of Intensified Information Awareness Campaign to prevent NPA recruitment among the administration officials, faculty and staff, and the students of said university.

Dr. Anthony M Penaso, and Mr. Luisito Tabada, the CSU President and Vice President, respectively, together with some key officials warmly welcomed the SAKM cluster members led by the Regional Director of NICA 10, Director Manuel Orduna; 402nd Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Maurito L Licudine; Regional Director of CHED Caraga, Director Leonida Fetalvero; Assistant Regional Director of PIA Caraga, ARD Fryan Abkilan; Regional Intelligence Division and Regional Community Affairs Division representatives, PMaj Rene T Sarento and Police Lieutenant Colonel Jose Lumacang, respectively; City Director of DILG Butuan City, Director Charice V Guerta; together with 15RCDG Group Commander, Col Diosdado E Peji; and Propelling our Inherited Nation Thru our Youth (POINTY) 4ID Chapter President, Engr Kier Betito.

The dialogue started with an overview by Director Orduna of NICA10 on the Cluster’s thrust and efforts and further discussed Executive Order 70. He also explained the rationale of the call cum dialogue and the vital role of the school officials to prevent NPA youth recruitment.

Dr. Penaso expressed his gratitude and all-out support to the SAKM cluster’s efforts in preventing NPA recruitment. He said that they have been observing NPA allied left-leaning organizations (LLOs) in their school for some time since before the COVID-19 pandemic. He shared his experience that prevented a specific LLO to infiltrate applying for school accreditation and recognition. “They are already out there, we will ensure to observe their movements. Officially, they will not be recognized because no teacher would want to become their advisers. Thus, we are very supportive of this initiative and we understand why the President executed Executive Order 70. We are 101 percent supportive because we want to save our nation”, Dr. Penaso explained.

Further, Brigadier General Licudine provided a brief overview of the 402Bde campaign that focuses on two (2) main efforts: the recruitment and extortion scheme of NPA. He then underscored Executive Order 70 where government agencies are working together as the vital key piece against the NPA infiltration to all sectors.

He added that there is a need for mass education and information as the NPAs’ have utilized several ways to recruit students or youths such as preying on the student’s vulnerabilities particularly poverty-related and family problem issues and the use of social media inviting students for agitation and indoctrination.

“Despite our accomplishments, a snowball of surrenders and significantly reducing their manpower, the NPA still exist because of their resources. This includes their continuous recruitment focusing now on the youth. Hence, we need to engage the key officials of schools who are unwittingly used as a platform for recruitment. We need the permission and cooperation of schools to have a united sentiment against the NPA and their continuous deceptive recruitment”, Brigadier General Licudine stressed
After which, other member agencies discussed their mandated task and expressed full commitment and support to end local communist armed conflict. Colonel Peji of 15RCDG on about the strengthening of ROTC and Reservist program to instill nationalism and patriotism among students while Police Lieutenant Colonel Lumacang of PRO13 presented the salient points of PNP’s Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo (KKDAT) program as among the avenues that would strengthen effort against NPA recruitment in the school.

One of the highlights in the dialogue was the message of Director Guerta of DILG Butuan City who committed the CHED’s support with SAKM cluster in organizing advocacy activities for the students and teachers and the Capacitating Urban Community for Peace and Development (CUCPD) that will address sectoral infiltration of the NPA. Likewise, Director Fetalvero of CHED Caraga also extended her support to the SAKM cluster in engaging key officials and pursue any efforts to prevent NPA recruitment in the universities and colleges. She raised several possible mechanisms and strategies that would prevent students to join NPA allied left-leaning organizations.

“I would support any of these efforts because the environment of the academic community will be at stake if these things are happening inside the school. CHED is very supportive, we wanted our graduates to reach their goals as they can be the leaders of our country”, Director Fetalvero added.

The dialogue ended with the commitment and support from CSU President particularly in allowing IECs inside CSU campus and for future undertakings towards preventing NPA youth recruitment in their school.

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