Army chief urges parents to protect children from NPA recruitment

BRIGADIER General Benedict Arevalo is urging parents to protect their children from the recruitment activities allegedly conducted by the New People’s Army (NPA).

Arevalo made the statement amid the growing controversy regarding the recruitment of students to militant and other progressive groups with alleged links to the insurgent group which are being conducted in various schools and universities nationwide.

According to Arevalo, both parents and students should be able to distinguish activism from supporting terrorism.

He said it is a shame that some scholars, especially those studying in state colleges and universities, who have “bit the hand that fed them” and joined the rebels.

“There are many other students who deserve the scholarships and who are in dire need of education to help the country, and not destroy it,” Arevalo said.

The 303IB commander further stated government scholars in private and public schools should be prevented from joining organi

zations supporting the NPA in order to protect them from the lies, deceptions, and machinations of the insurgent organization.

He further added there are many other organizations that scholars can join to exercise their rights and academic freedom.

Last week, a hearing was conducted before the senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, after several parents filed complaints that their children went missing and believed to have been invited by progressive groups with alleged links to the insurgent group.

During the hearing four former NPA rebels also testified before that senate confirming that the insurgent group are actively recruiting from various schools nationwide./tde