By Jason de Asis
BALER, Aurora-The Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion conducted lecture on Youth Infiltration School Awareness to 50 students of Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) on Friday, Dec. 1 in order to avoid the recruitment of the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) and to be catalysts of peace and development.
Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto, Jr., commander of 91st IB said in an interview on Saturday that the Philippine Army will continue to conduct info drive in this province of Aurora in order not to be swayed by false ideologists of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
“We also regularly conducted this program to enhance the potential of our youth to become more responsible citizens and catalysts in advocating peace and development. We are developing their awareness on their integral role in nation-building by instilling to them the spirit of patriotism, nationalism and social responsibility as well as the modus of CPP-NPA-NDF infiltration,” Recto said.
He added that some legal fronts use the guise of development and reform, but their real agenda is to destroy the image of the government. “Our youth must be educated enough to avoid being recruited by the CTGs.
We keep on telling them not to be swayed by the propaganda of these groups,” Recto said. He added that an army recruitment process was conducted to the participants headed by ASCOT ROTC Coordinator Joeben A. Fontanos.
“We are so grateful for the continued support of the ASCOT family to educate our youth to address this problem on CTGs recruitment. We urge everyone to be united in the dissemination of the sincerity of our government in promoting sustainable peace and development especially in the geographically isolated areas,” Recto said.
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology student Mark Ace O. Rodica said that he will share what he learned about the evils of the CTGs. “We should reject the NPA so that our future will not be destroyed,” he said.
On the other hand, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering student Joana V. Evangelista said that the awareness program of 91st IB is helpful to avoid the deceptive recruitments of the NPA.
“We should listen to the call of our government towards peace and development,” she said.
