IPs receive mobile tablets from youth org

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 8, 2021): IPs receive mobile tablets from youth org (By Nef Luczon)

DONATIONS. Col. Michele Anayron Jr. (3rd from let) of the Army's 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro City, receives 50 units of mobile tablets from the Kilos Kabataan Livelihood Foundation Inc. on Thursday (Oct. 7, 2021). Some 13 of the tablets were turned over to select indigenous peoples’ youth. (Photo courtesy of 4ID)

Some 50 tablets were donated by a youth organization Kilos Kabataan Livelihood Foundation Incorporated (KKLFI) to the Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID) here in support of the “Education for All” peace campaign for indigenous peoples.

In a statement on Friday, Col. Michele Anayron Jr., 4ID deputy commander for Retirees Reservist Affairs, said 13 units were immediately distributed to select indigenous peoples youth beneficiaries identified by the 8th Infantry Battalion in Bukidnon province, while the 4ID is finalizing the identification of other beneficiaries.

Kristin Bangot, KKLFI's founder and chief executive officer, said the endeavor is part of their “education for all’’ advocacy which they extend to communities that are geographically isolated and disadvantaged.

“We want to give aid to students who want to study but are hampered by difficulties due to lack of digital gadgets for online education. We intend to share quality education and equal opportunities for everybody, particularly in digital education, especially that we have this pandemic," she said in another statement.

Bangot encouraged recipients to take good care of the tablets, which have been programmed with other educational topics.

One of the beneficiaries who was present during the turnover on Thursday was Joshua Velasco, a street kid from this city.

"I am really thankful to Kilos Kabataan and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) because even though I have nothing, they helped me and gave me an opportunity to finish my education," he was quoted as saying in the vernacular.

Anayron said education has always been strongly regarded as a pillar of national development and a primary avenue for social and economic success.

Maj Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., the 4ID commander, said the partnership with KKLFI is a big boost to their fight against violent extremism as it helps contribute to stopping youth radicalism in the Caraga and Northern Mindanao regions, especially by elements of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army, and National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

“We must promote education for all to address radicalization. The CPP-NPA-NDF radicalized youths to become violent extremists such as the bearing of firearms and fight the government. It must be stopped as it poisons the innocent minds of our youth. We urge other stakeholders to partner with us in this endeavor and jointly denounce the communist terrorist group’s youth radicalism," Brawner said in a statement.

The Philippines' Anti-Terrorism Council has designated the CPP, NPA, and NDF as terrorist groups.

The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines also listed the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1156073