Army holds youth summit to curb NPA recruitment in N. Samar

From the Philippine News Agency (May 24, 2023): Army holds youth summit to curb NPA recruitment in N. Samar (By Sarwell Meniano)

NO TO NPA RECRUITMENT. Soldiers facilitating the youth summit in Catubig, Northern Samar in this May 21, 2023 photo. The Philippine Army held the first youth summit in Catubig, Northern Samar in a bid to stop the recruitment of the New People’s Army among teens in the province. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Army gathered at least 90 youth leaders in a two-day summit in Catubig, Northern Samar, that aims to stop the recruitment of the New People’s Army (NPA) among young people in the province.

Lt. Col. Joemar Buban, commander of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion (20 IB), said in a phone interview Wednesday, the May 20 to 21 summit, seeks to empower and give the youth a voice in advocating peace and nation-building.

“I hope that after the summit, young people will join the good aspirations of the Philippine Army towards a prosperous and peaceful town of Catubig. (That they will realize) that they belong to the generation who wants to solve the problem through peaceful means, without violence,” Buban said.

He encouraged them to be part of the opportunity to finally end the local communist armed conflict and insurgency.

Speakers during the summit were from the Philippine Army, municipal social welfare and development office, rural health unit, municipal environment and natural resources office, local election office, municipal police station, local disaster risk reduction and management office and Bureau of Fire Protection.

There was also a spiritual session and reflection night, bonfire activity and fellowship night.

Rey Christian Sabado, a former NPA fighter who is now a soldier, gave testimony on the deceptive recruitment of rebels. He encouraged the youth to be vigilant and critical of the people and organizations they interact with to avoid deceptive tactics.

The military arrested Sabado on Oct. 3, 2019, carrying firearms, explosives and subversive documents in the upland village in Las Navas, Northern Samar. He joined the Philippine Army in 2021.

The summit also elected the officers of Youth for Peace Movement – Catubig Chapter.

Several upland communities in the province are considered the hotbed of the communist terrorist group due to thick forests and poor road networks.

There are still two active NPA guerrilla fronts in Northern Samar hiding in the upland villages of Catubig, Las Navas, Silvino Lobos, Palapag, Mapanas and Gamay towns in Northern Samar.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1202125