State univs deny PNP allegations of campus recruitment by rebels

By Jennifer P. Rendon and Juliane Judilla

The administration of West Visayas State University (WVSU) Calinog Campus and other state colleges and universities have denied allegations that recruitment activities by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) are taking place on the campus.

In a statement, Dr. Rosario Clarabel C. Contreras, WVSU-Calinog Campus administrator, refuted reports of insurgency and recruitment, stating that “these do not reflect our institution.”

“WVSU Calinog Campus is committed to providing quality education and a safe environment for intellectual growth. Our security team is vigilant, and our Air Force ROTC conducts yearly security awareness programs about insurgent recruitment in coordination with authorized government agencies,” Contreras added.

On Tuesday, August 6, the Philippine National Police (PNP) claimed that WVSU Calinog Campus is a ground for CPP-NPA recruitment activities. Colonel Randy Arceo of the PNP Directorate for Operations said students have been recruited for the armed struggle since 2014.

The WVSU-Calinog Campus is one of 102 educational institutions in the country identified by the PNP during the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs hearing on August 6.

After learning of the issue, Contreras said they conducted a thorough internal investigation.

“We found no evidence of CPP-NPA recruitment or insurgency. Our strict policies ensure all campus activities align with our educational mission,” she said.

Contreras added that they have engaged with the campus community to reaffirm their commitment to transparency, integrity, and the rule of law.

“The response has been overwhelmingly supportive, with no signs of unlawful activities,” she stated.

Contreras emphasized that the campus offers programs promoting critical thinking, civic engagement, and social responsibility, empowering students to be productive citizens.

She urged everyone to be cautious and seek verified information from reliable sources. “Unverified claims can harm educational institutions and our students’ futures,” she said, stressing that WVSU Calinog Campus remains committed to a safe, inclusive learning environment and will fully cooperate with law enforcement to ensure campus security.

She reiterated that the campus stands firm against any form of insurgency and unlawful activities and appreciates the community’s support in upholding the truth and protecting the institution’s integrity.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 also released a statement supporting the Senate investigation into Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) recruitment in schools and universities.

“We acknowledge the fact that the CTG, through various front organizations, conducts recruitment in our schools, colleges, and universities,” the statement said.

Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis said the revelations from the Senate investigation should serve as an eye-opener for everyone.

“It calls on us to take proactive steps to protect our students and youth from exploitation, deception, and manipulation by CTG front groups,” he added. “Many lives have been wasted due to these recruitment activities conducted by the communist terrorist group among our youth and students.”

He also urged the public to take the information as collective motivation to actively participate in the campaign to protect the youth and students from CTG recruitment activities.

Further, PRO-6 supported the statements of Putian National High School and the Cuartero local government, which claimed that there are no recorded CTG recruitment activities in their locality. The area was reportedly cleared of CTG presence in 2019 following the dismantling of the Eastern Front of the Komiteng Rehiyon Panay of the CPP-NPA.

Barangay Putian and neighboring localities in Cuartero were previously categorized as NPA strongholds. Cuartero has since been a recipient of various projects under the Barangay Development Program of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

When asked if the information citing Putian National High School and WVSU Calinog Campus as recruitment grounds for the CPP-NPA was accurate, Solis said the PNP higher headquarters could have obtained it from other sources.

Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines Office of the Student Regent and the University Student Councils denounced in a joint statement the allegations, calling the Senate hearings a waste of public funds and a form of witch hunt targeting youth leaders and organizations that promote critical thinking and social change.

“These hearings, purportedly aimed at proposing amendments to the already-draconian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, are a stain on the integrity of the Senate. They aim to expand the repressive powers of the government to schools and universities like the various constituent universities of UP,” the statement said.

“If we truly want to serve the people, we must not condemn or be ashamed of the fact that we have produced revolutionary martyrs. We must acknowledge why they chose to sacrifice their lives for the people and the concrete conditions that pushed them to do so,” the statement added.

Atty. Nellie Jo Aujero-Regalado, of the UPV Legal Counsel, speaking on behalf of the institution, said the university is committed to prioritizing students’ safety and welfare, citing provisions from the student handbook that guarantee basic rights such as freedom of inquiry and expression, the right to hold peaceful demonstrations, and to protest against school and national policies.

In a Senate hearing on August 6, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa expressed concern about the alleged increase in student recruitment by insurgency groups in educational institutions.

“Now that the administration has changed, it seems their [insurgency groups’] confidence is growing again. They are once more recruiting,” Dela Rosa said.

The senator urged educational institutions to revisit policies focused on countering radical ideologies and reminded administrators to ensure the well-being of the Filipino youth.

To support Dela Rosa’s claims, PNP’s Directorate for Operations Colonel Randy Arceo disclosed that 23 educational institutions, including state universities and elementary and secondary schools, have been identified where CPP-NPA recruitment has occurred since 2014.

These include the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman, Putian National High School, Hacienda Intal Elementary School, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)-Manila, and WVSU-Calinog Campus.