Terrorism strikes hardest at the innocence of youth, depriving them of the peace and security they deserve.

To safeguard the younger generation from the grips of these violent ideologies, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) urged them to remain steadfast.

Manuel Orduña, assistant director general for domestic operations of NICA-Region 1, said the younger generation should resist recruitment tactics designed to ensnare them into the folds of extremism.

“Remember, you are our nation's future. Stay safe, and don't fall for the lies of communist terrorists, they only bring harm. Don't let anyone lead you astray,” Orduña said.

Adding to this, Orduña shared that in order not to get involved in this group, the youth should first know who these enemies or communist terrorist groups (CTGs) are and their most commonly used tactics in recruiting members of their organization.

Orduña said the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), along with its military arm, the New People’s Army (NPA), and its political arm, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP or NDF), were organized and founded to overthrow the present democratic government and replace it with a dictatorship led by the Communist Party and its leaders.

Orduña reveals that CTGs meticulously employ a strategy known as Social Investigation and Class Analysis (SICA), wherein potential targets are meticulously identified, with a preference for intelligent yet vulnerable youths grappling with poverty, family issues, inequality, and marginalization.

"Through SICA, CTGs strategically selects susceptible individuals, aiming to exploit their vulnerabilities for recruitment," Orduña disclosed.

He said that once identified, these individuals are subjected to a systematic process of indoctrination, as outlined in the CTG manual of operation.

Orduña elaborates on the subsequent steps, highlighting how targets are agitated to radicalize their thinking, urged to join mass organizations, and subjected to intensive political education rooted in Marxism-Leninism-Maoism—all orchestrated to prepare them for mobilization.

"Following this meticulous process, CTGs evaluate and select individuals deemed suitable to become party candidates, who are then groomed into party cadres and integrated into underground mass organizations (UGMOs)," Orduña explained.

Orduña underscored the propaganda disseminated by communist terrorists—a narrative that portrays armed revolution as the purported solution to the nation's socio-economic woes.

As a contribution to the discourse on community development, specifically for the future of the younger generation, Orduña said NICA stands firm in its resolve to expose and dismantle these CTGs.

He said through awareness and vigilance, the youth are empowered to resist the call of extremism, safeguarding the future of the nation against the shadows of terrorism.

By staying aware and watchful, the youth hold the power to reject extremism, securing a brighter future free from the threat of terrorism. (JCR/AMB/EMSA/JSZ/PIA Pangasinan)