Army Seeks Public Support to Stop Youth Recruitment

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – The Philippine Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade in Negros Oriental is calling for public cooperation to curb the recruitment of youth into the armed struggle in urban areas.

Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, urged parents to monitor their children’s school activities to help prevent recruitment by the New People’s Army.

“Let us stand and unite to stop the recruitment of the youth in the urban centers,” Escanillas said in a phone interview.

This statement followed the death of a former communications student from the University of the Philippines Cebu, who was among seven alleged remnants of the dismantled South West Front killed in clashes with the 62nd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Humay-humay, Guihulngan City on May 1.

Escanillas identified the former student as 26-year-old Jhon Isidor Supelanas, also known as “Dee” or “Dalia,” from Cebu City, whom he described as a victim of deception.

“I’m calling on parents to convince their children who are still in the mountains to return to the fold of the law,” he said, stressing that problems cannot be solved through violence.

“Our lines are open to help you seek justice by filing cases against student recruiters,” Escanillas added. “We need your help—we cannot do this alone.”

In a Facebook post, Supelanas’ sister, Izzy, said their family had known about Dee’s involvement and tried to dissuade her, but she had already made up her mind.

“Since then, we hadn’t heard anything from her—until the day we saw her name in the news,” she wrote.

“We’re not just mourning because she’s gone—we’re grieving the way she died and the life she had to live leading up to that moment,” she added.

Izzy criticized some groups that released photos and tributes about her sister without giving their family time and space to mourn.

“You used her—and for what? To corrupt innocent youth and push your agenda?” she said. “Enough is enough. Let us mourn in peace.”

She also urged young people to think twice before joining armed groups promising change.

“You may choose to leave your family, but if you return—sometimes, it’s no longer with your voice, your dreams or your life. Just a name, a body and heartbreak no parent should ever face,” she wrote.

“Is my sister’s life not enough? Is her story not enough of a wake-up call?” she added. “You push young people to walk away from their families and their future—but when things go wrong, will you take responsibility?”

She thanked those who sent condolences and kind messages, saying, “It means a lot to our family right now.”

“To my dear sister, wherever you are, please know that you are still loved by many—regardless of your political beliefs,” she said.

Escanillas said Supelanas was the latest in a growing list of student leaders killed or captured as NPA members on Negros Island since 2008.

He said more young Filipinos should be awakened to the reality that armed conflict leads only to false promises and disaster.

“We must unequivocally condemn the brutality and cruelty of this organization and hold them accountable for their actions,” he said.

Escanillas said some youth remain active in the armed movement and urged them to reconsider their choices.

He said societal issues cannot be resolved by armed struggle but through peaceful advocacy.

“Lay down your weapons and embrace a future of harmony and progress,” he said. “Be discerning, and don’t fall prey to false ideologies.”

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict also mourned Supelanas’ death.

“Supelanas is not the first—nor, tragically, likely the last—of its members to be led down a path that ends in violence,” the task force said.

“Universities are not the enemy,” it added. “The NPA infiltrates campuses to prey on passionate and idealistic students.”

The task force urged the youth to pursue nation-building and reject armed insurgency and extremism.

It also vowed to continue working with communities, schools and student leaders to dismantle recruitment networks and protect the youth from becoming casualties of false revolutions.

Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office said in a statement that the deaths of Reniel Locsin Cellon, alias “Kumpol,” and Charity Amacan, alias “Cha,” are expected to improve the province’s crime solution efficiency.

Cellon had four outstanding arrest warrants for murder and direct assault, while Amacan faced 11 murder warrants.

The two were killed in the same series of encounters in Kabankalan City on May 1.

Three others killed in the encounter are being validated for criminal records.

The police confirmed that Mary Jane Maguilat, also known as “Shonie,” had an arrest warrant for violating Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 as amended by Republic Act 7166 in relation to Comelec Resolution No. 9561-A.

The police pledged continued support for the Armed Forces of the Philippines in maintaining peace and order across the province.

Former NPA Rebel Surrenders to Police

A 42-year-old farmer previously linked to the NPA surrendered to police in Barangay Bunga, Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental on Friday.

Personnel of the 2nd Maneuver Platoon of the 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company facilitated the surrender of “Alex,” a resident of San Carlos City.

Police said Alex was a former member of the dismantled Northern Negros Front of the Komiteng Rehiyon–Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor.

He turned over a homemade .357-caliber revolver without ammunition and received PHP2,000 in cash, groceries worth PHP1,000 and a sack of rice from the ELCAC fund.

Alex said he now wants to clear his name and has renounced any affiliation with the armed group.

His surrender followed that of a 57-year-old former NPA militiaman in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City on April 30.