Military conducts campaign to counter recruitment by communist groups in Metro Manila schools

February 24, 2020

The military conducted an information and education campaign to counter recruitment efforts of communist group in different schools in Metro Manila.

"This information and education campaign aims to enlighten the youth, parents and teachers become more aware and vigilant on the deceptive recruitment scheme of the CTG's (communist terrorist group)," said 1Lt. Arrianne Bichara, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Joint Task Force National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) public affairs officer on Monday.

Bichara said with the present issue about the alleged deceptive recruitment of minors being conducted by the communist group the "Hands off our Children movement" teamed up with the National Capital Region Task Force to end local communist armed conflict (NCRTF-ELCAC) and the JTF NCR to intensify awareness in different schools, barangays and peace forums in the National Capital Region.

"Among the topics discussed during the information awareness are the following: national security threats, school infiltration of the (Communist Party of the Philippines- New People's Army) CPP-NPA, exploitation of the youth sector and preventive measures against the deceptive recruitment scheme of the CTG's," she said.

"The JTF NCR, AFP with NCRTF-ELCAC will continue to conduct this kind of activities until all parents and teachers in the area are aware of the deceptive propaganda," she added.

Bichara said they are also planning to conduct information drive in different universities in Metro Manila, including University of the Philippines (UP), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and University of Sto. Tomas (UST).

"We have plans. We will just arrange it, so that at least our entry in those schools will be peaceful, so that we will not violate law or any policies ongoing in that schools... We would like to extend our advocacy for us to be able to help more people to make them aware about this," she said. Robina Asido/DMS