QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – In a bid to protect students from communist recruitment, the Joint Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (JRTF-ELCAC) is ramping up its efforts in universities and colleges across Metro Manila.
During the recent Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum on Tuesday, March 18, security officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) outlined their strategies to combat the infiltration of radical groups in educational institutions.
Lt.Col. Arniel Tormis of the National Capital Region Command, AFP, emphasized that their primary strategy involves conducting information awareness campaigns in schools and universities. These initiatives, in coordination with the Situational Awareness and Knowledge Management (SAKM) Cluster, aim to educate students about deceptive recruitment tactics employed by leftist groups.
“So ipinapaliwanag natin sa kanila na ‘yung mga hakbang kung paano nila maiwasan ang recruitment at paliwanag din natin sa kanila ‘yung mga ginagawa ng mga makakaliwang grupo kung sakaling sila ay pupuntahan o lalapitan,” Tormis said.
(We explain to them the steps on how they can avoid recruitment, and we also inform them about the tactics used by leftist groups in case they are approached or contacted.)
Additionally, the AFP is engaging directly with school administrations to create collaborative strategies aimed at safeguarding students from radicalization. These partnerships seek to establish clear policies and preventive measures to curb recruitment efforts within educational institutions.
Tormis noted that these intensified efforts have made it increasingly difficult for communist groups to recruit on campuses.
“Dahil ‘yung mga kabataan natin, ‘yung mga leadership natin ng kabataan sa mga university at lalo na doon sa pamunuan ay nahirapan na sila doon na pumasok,” he noted. “At dahil lagi nating paulit-ulit na ginagawa sa mga university, isa sa mga talagang layunin natin dito is mamulat sa kanila ang katotohanan. Kung paano sila hindi ma-recruit and at the same time, hindi maligaw ‘yung kanilang landas. Dapat magfo-focus lang sa kanilang pag-aaral.”
(The leadership of student organizations and university administrators has become more aware and cautious. As a result, these groups are finding it harder to infiltrate campuses and recruit students.)
Moreover, Police Col. Angel Garcillano of the NCRPO stressed the importance of engaging youth in counter-recruitment efforts. He highlighted ‘Ligtas sa Eskwela,’ a program spearheaded by NCRPO, which involves direct interactions between law enforcement and students through school visitations.
“‘Yung ating kapulisan sa Metro Manila ay pumupunta sa school, universities at nagbabahagi ng kaalaman patungkol sa NTF-ELCAC,” Garcillano explained.
(This program allows our police officers to visit schools and universities to educate students about NTF-ELCAC’s initiatives.)
He further emphasized the role of families in reinforcing awareness among students. “At (kung) ‘yung tamang education awareness pagdating sa NTF-ELCAC ay taglay ng isa pong estudyante, ito po ay dadalhin niya sa kanyang bahay.”
(When a student gains the right knowledge about the dangers of recruitment, they bring that awareness home.)
By continuously engaging with students, educators, and parents, authorities aim to bolster resistance against deceptive recruitment tactics and ensure the safety of academic institutions in Metro Manila.
The anti-insurgency task force was established in 2018 to combat communist insurgency in the Philippines, integrating efforts from various government agencies, law enforcement, and civil society organizations to address the root causes of insurgency and promote peace and development nationwide. (AVS/PIA-NCR)
