Phil. Army on active mode vs NPA’s youth recruitment

By: Jennifer P. Rendon 

The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division will not sit down amid continued efforts of some groups to recruit students to join the New People’s Army (NPA) and their affiliate organizations.

Major Gen. Dinoh Dolina, 3rd ID commander, said there are efforts being done to address the deceptive recruitment of the youth, especially in universities and colleges.

“It’s becoming clearer every day, and there are compelling evidence, to support the claims that some of these so-called youth groups have been recruiting and infiltrating schools to deceive students,” he said.

But Dolina did not mention any particular school or name any youth organization.

He said they would embark on a more aggressive information campaign in different schools in the 3ID’s areas of responsibility.

“In fact, marami na ngayong mga paaralan ang sumusulat asking for briefing about communist deceptive recruitment of students.

“This is the only way that our children would be aware of this action by the left groups,” Dolina said.

There are also efforts being conducted in the higher headquarters, together with concerned government agencies, to take action to put an end to rebel recruitment.

In related news, sixty youth leaders from different provinces of Region 6 completed the three-day 2nd Regional Youth Leadership Summit (RYLS) organized by the 3rd ID on October 13, 2019.

Adopting the theme, “Youth of today, leaders of tomorrow,” the seminar sought to empower the youth through a leadership training; instill the spirit of patriotism, nationalism and social responsibility; expand their role in nation building; and grow the next generation of leaders in the community and beyond.

“The Filipino youth are considered as the most valuable resource. If the government would invest in something, there is nowhere to invest better other than the youth”.

He also reminded the youth that they play a great role in the existence of our society; as they are responsible to the success and failure of the next generation as the national hero said; “the youth is the hope of the motherland. As the next generation of leaders, the future of the nation lies in your hands”.

Further, Dolina challenged the youth to go the mirror and take a hard look and ask themselves “ako nga ba ang pag-asa ng bayan na sinasabi ni Gat Jose Rizal?”

Meanwhile, a representative from the youth leaders thanked the facilitators and organizers for a wonderful experience which taught them about camaraderie, leadership and teamwork.

YLS is a program that the Philippine Army and other peace-oriented advocates introduced to protect our youth against the recruitment of the CPP-NPA Terrorist and its allied groups. Further, its sole objective is to empower and develop the leadership qualities of our future leaders which our country truly deserves.