Kalinaw News: Soldiers educate students on terrorists’ deceptive recruitment

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 25, 2023): Soldiers educate students on terrorists’ deceptive recruitment (By 7ID)

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – Soldiers from the 71st Infantry (Kaibigan) Battalion, Philippine Army conducted an information and awareness drive to students of Candon High School in Brgy Darapidap, Candon City, Ilocos Sur last Thursday, January 19, 2023.

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Bautista, Commanding Officer of 71IB, said that the activity primarily aims to inform and caution incoming high school freshmen on the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) deceptive recruitment among the student sector in schools.

“Every Filipino youth is vulnerable to CTG propaganda and recruitment due to their youthful idealism and potential. It is therefore imperative that the youth sector be informed and cautioned on the danger brought by the 5-decade-old nemesis of our country,” said Lt. Col. Bautista.

Among the topics discussed during the activity was the role of the youth in nation-building, challenges and issues among Filipino youth, evils of communism, and stages of CTG deceptive recruitment among the youth and student sectors.

Apart from lectures, a documentary film was shown highlighting the narratives and testimonies of former rebels specifically former youth cadres on their personal experiences of how the CTG deceives and recruits the youth and student sectors in becoming violent extremists.

Mr. Goldwen Ramos, Officer-in-charge of Candon City High School expressed his gratitude to the Kaibigan troopers for promoting nationalism, patriotism, and discipline among high school students as well as one of the government agencies who upholds and promotes students’ welfare in safeguarding them from CTG influence and recruitment.

Meanwhile, Niko Polonio, a Grade 12 student of Candon City High School, also expressed his gratitude to the troops for educating them and at the same time encouraged his fellow students not to be deceived by the lies of the communist terrorist group.

“Nagpalasalamat ako sa lecture na ito kung saan malaking tulong ito para sa amin lalong-lalo na sa amin na incoming first year high school student para maging aware kami sa mangyayaring recruitment sa paaralan at huwag magpapalinlang sa mga kasinungalingan nila para hindi masira ang aming kinabukasan,” Niko said.

Major General Andrew D Costelo, Commander of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army lauded the continued initiative of 71IB in educating the youth on the deceptive recruitment of the CTG among their sector, especially in schools.

“We vow to sustain this kind of information and awareness campaign initiative to prevent from being deceived by the front organizations of the CTG. Also, I would like to commend the full cooperation and support of Candon High School to the Army’s campaign as we intensify this activity at the grassroots level,” said Major General Costelo.

Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

https://www.kalinawnews.com/soldiers-educate-students-on-terrorists-deceptive-recruitment/