ILOILO City — The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) has raised alarm over the alleged involvement of students and former students in armed rebel activities following the deadly encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental that left 19 people dead, warning that communist insurgent groups may be intensifying recruitment efforts among the youth.
Major General Michael Samson, commander of the 3ID, described the reported participation of students in armed clashes as “very alarming” and urged parents, schools, and communities to closely monitor young people amid what he said are persistent recruitment and indoctrination activities by communist groups.
“It is deeply alarming when families believe their children are safely at school, only to later discover they have aligned themselves with an armed movement in conflict zones,” Samson said.
Samson said the issue is part of a broader national security concern being addressed by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), noting that similar incidents involving students and former students have also been recorded in other parts of the country.
“This is exactly why the NTF-ELCAC actively operates nationwide. We have seen multiple cases where students and former students become embedded with armed groups and later perish during encounters with government forces,” he added.
The 3ID chief appealed to the media to help spread warnings to families and educational institutions, especially concerning students involved in advocacy work and social causes.
“It is crucial to closely monitor the whereabouts of your loved ones to ensure they are not being systematically manipulated into joining a dangerous armed movement,” Samson said.
Samson also rejected claims that six of the fatalities in the Toboso encounter were civilians, insisting that initial evidence showed they were actively fighting alongside armed rebels during the clash.
“The individuals involved were present at a legitimate encounter site, wearing military vests and carrying bandoliers while actively fighting government forces,” he said.
He explained that soldiers engaged in running gun battles could not immediately determine identities during active combat operations.
“Anyone embedded with an armed group exchanging fire with troops will naturally be engaged as part of that group,” Samson said.
To ensure transparency, Samson said Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) have been tasked to conduct a forensic investigation into the incident.
The Army official also revealed that testimonies from former rebels showed students and recruits are often subjected to “exposure” or “tour of duty” activities, where they accompany armed groups for indoctrination and immersion.
“This is why many communities declare these groups persona non grata. Hosting or traveling with them puts the entire community at risk of being caught in crossfire,” Samson said.
He warned that military intelligence and surveillance operations make armed encounters highly likely once insurgents move through populated areas.
“The lesson is simple: do not risk being seen with these armed groups,” he said.
Asked whether students or researchers entering conflict-prone areas could receive protection through coordination with authorities, Samson said awareness remains the strongest safeguard.
“The process often begins subtly on school campuses before moving elsewhere,” he said. “The ultimate protection is awareness. People must understand that embedding themselves with armed elements under the guise of research or any other reason places them in extreme danger.”
Samson also declined to confirm reports that one of those killed was a college graduate from Cauayan, Negros Occidental, saying identities would only be officially established after relatives formally identify the remains.
“If confirmed, it is deeply unfortunate. But the reality remains that this individual was positioned with an armed group actively engaging government troops using high-powered weapons, including an M60 machine gun,” Samson said./PN
