CARAGA RTF-ELCAC, CSU GEAR UP CAMPAIGN VS CTG RECRUITMENT

Caraga RTF-ELCAC, CSU gear up campaign vs CTG recruitment By Maj. Francisco Garello, Jr.

The Situational Awareness and Knowledge Management Cluster (SAKM) of the Caraga Regional Task Force Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict conducted a courtesy call and dialogue with the president and other key officials of Caraga State University (CSU) on May 27, 2021 at the CSU Conference Room, Ampayon Campus, Brgy. Ampayon, this city, and discussed ways and means to prevent Communist Terrorist Group’s (CTG’s) recruitment in the said school.

The National Intelligence Coordinating Council (NICA) 10 as the lead agency of the SAKM cluster in close coordination with the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade, Philippine Army facilitated the said activity in order to solicit strong partnership and commitment from the CSU leadership in the implementation of Executive Order No. 70 particularly the conduct of Intensified Information Awareness Campaign to prevent CTG recruitment among the administration officials, faculty and staff, and the students of said university.

Dr. Anthony Penaso, and Luisito Tabada, the CSU President and Vice President, respectively, together with some key officials warmly welcomed the SAKM cluster members led by NICA-10 Regional Director Manuel Orduna; Brigadier General Maurito Licudine of 402nd Brigade Commander; Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Caraga regional director Leonida Calagui; Assistant Regional Director Fryan Abkilan of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga; PMaj. Rene Sarento and PLt. Col Jose Lumacang, of the Regional Intelligence Division and Regional Community Affairs Division; City Director Charice Guerta of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Butuan City; Col. Diosdado Peji, 15RCDG Group Commander; and Engr. Kier Betito, Propelling our Inherited Nation Thru our Youth (POINTY) 4ID Chapter President.

Dir. Orduna shared the Cluster’s thrust and efforts and salient features of EO70. He also explained the rationale of the call cum dialogue and the vital role of the school officials to prevent CTG youth recruitment.

Penaso also expressed his gratitude and allout support to the SAKM cluster’s efforts in preventing

CTG recruitment. He said that they have been observing CTG allied leftleaning organizations (LLOs) in their school for some time since before the COVID-19 pandemic. He shared his experience that prevented a specific LLO to infiltrate by applying for school accreditation and recognition. “They are already out there, we will ensure to observe their movements. Officially, they will not be recognized because no teacher would want to become their advisers. Thus, we are very supportive of this initiative and we understand why the President executed the EO70. We are 101 percent supportive because we want to save our nation,” Penaso explained.

Meanwhile, BGen. Licudine provided a brief overview of the 402Bde campaign that focuses on two main efforts: the recruitment and extortion scheme of the CTG. He then underscored the EO70 where government agencies are working together as the vital key piece against the CTG infiltration to all sectors.

He added that there is a need for mass education and information as the CTGs have utilized several ways to recruit students or youths such as preying on the student’s vulnerabilities particularly poverty-related and family problem issues and the use of social media inviting students for agitation and indoctrination.

“Despite our accomplishments, the snowball of surrenders and significantly reducing their manpower, the CTG still exist because of their resources. This includes their continuous recruitment focusing now with the youth. Hence, we need to engage the key officials of schools who are unwittingly used as platform for recruitment. We need the permission and cooperation of schools to have a united sentiment against the CTG and their continuous deceptive recruitment,” Licudine bared.

After which, other member agencies discussed their mandated task and expressed full commitment and support to end local communist armed conflict. Col. Peji of 15RCDG talked about strengthening the ROTC and Reservist program to instill nationalism and patriotism among students while PLtCol Lumacang of PRO13 presented the salient points of PNP’s Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo (KKDAT) program as among the avenues that would strengthen effort against CTG recruitment in the school. message of Director Guerta of DILG Butuan City who committed the CHED’s support with SAKM cluster in organizing advocacy activities for the students and teachers and the Capacitating Urban Community for Peace and Development (CUCPD) that will address sectoral infiltration of the CTG. Likewise, Dir. Calagui of CHED Caraga also extended her support to the SAKM cluster in engaging key officials and pursue any efforts to prevent CTG recruitment in the universities and colleges. She raised several possible mechanisms and strategies that would prevent students to join CTG allied left leaning organizations.

“I would support any of these efforts because the environment of academic community will be at stake if these things are happening inside the school. CHED is very supportive, we wanted our graduates to reach their goals as they can be the leaders of our country,” Dir. Calagui added.

The dialogue ended with the commitment and support from CSU president particularly in allowing IECs inside CSU campus and for future undertakings towards preventing CTG youth recruitment in their school. (CMO officer, 402nd Brigade/ PIA-Caraga)