ILOILO CITY — The New People’s Army (NPA) is recruiting young people in Western Visayas, according to the Philippine Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade (IB) based in Dingle, Iloilo.
Colonel Pio Diñoso, commanding officer of the 301st IB, on Wednesday said flyers have circulated in some barangays in the towns of Tigbauan and Miag-ao in Iloilo province a day after the NPA celebrated its 49th founding anniversary last March 29.
The flyers read “Pamatan-on Mag-entra sa NPA” (Youth join the NPA) and “Mabuhay ang ika-49 nga anniversary sang NPA” (Mabuhay 49th year anniversary of the NPA).
Diñoso said the rebel group will be unable to gather new recruits at the mainland as he described the public in these areas as “well-informed and educated”.
He said the recruitment of the rebel group here is a “year-round activity”.
Diñoso said the recruitment is “not a sign that they (rebels) are strengthening” their forces. “It might be a sign of desperation because their number might be fluctuating now so they need to recruit on the mainland as they no longer have recruits in the upland areas,” he said.
Diñoso said the number of NPAs in Panay usually range at more or less 150.
He said the rebel group here has changed its tactics but he assured that the military is also strengthening its combat operations.
He said some of their troops underwent further training to safeguard the public especially the youth amid the ongoing recruitment.
He added that they are also continuously conducting programs like “Youth Leadership Summits” and “Public Affair Programs” to educate the youth and encourage them not to join the NPA.
Meanwhile, Diñoso appealed to parents, teachers and village heads to protect children from recruitment by the rebels.
“It should be a comprehensive solution. This is not only the fight of your military, the fight of the government, it should be the fight of the whole nation,” he added.
Diñoso also warned the youth, encouraging them to be vigilant against the rebel group.
“Do not be easily swayed or be convinced. Concentrate on your studies and this summer season, help your family in doing the household chores or engage in sports like basketball and even biking,” he added. (Cindy Ferrer/PNA)
