(Eagle News) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday, Oct. 4, stood by its remark some schools were being used as venues for “communist recruitment.”
AFP Spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo issued the statement after some schools–the University of Makati and the University of Sto. Tomas, among others–denied there was such a recruitment in their campuses.
According to Arevalo, “we have reports of concerned parents communicating to us their worries about the ‘brainwashing’ activities that their children were subjected to like films showing; video teleconferencing with a terrorist leader like Jose Maria Sison; and Martial law reenactments during break time of high school students.”
“The students are agitated initially towards activism; mobilize them as militants, and finally recruit them as regular NPA (New People’s Army) cadres and leaders to fill up the dwindling number of political cadres,” Arevalo said.
Arevalo said the military was already coordinating with the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, among others, to thwart any Communist plot.
“The AFP, as an institution, is the protector of constitutionally guaranteed rights of our people. We do not censure, but as a matter of fact guard and support freedom of speech, of assembly, and of redress of grievances. But such should be done in a manner peaceful and orderly, and with due respect to other people’s rights. Because the moment there is resort to violence, the AFP will be there to prevent lawlessness,” he said.
The Philippine National Police, for its part, said charges for inciting sedition or rebellion could be filed if there was evidence against certain individuals.
“Ito sinasabi natin. Wag lasunin ang pag-iisip ng kabataan. Tayo ang mga guro. Considered second parents of our children. Ituro what is good for our country,” PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said.
Apart from UST and UMak, AFP Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. said the schools that were being tapped by the Communists were the University of the Philippines-Diliman, UP Manila, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Sta. Mesa, University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, Adamson University, University of the East-Recto and UE-Caloocan.
He said included among the schools were Emilio Aguinaldo College, Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute, San Beda, Lyceum, Caloocan City College, University of Manila and Philippine Normal University.
Arevalo clarified the information on some schools that were cited was still subject to validation. Mar Gabriel
