ILOILO City – The 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army firmly refuted allegations by the Philippine National Police (PNP) of New People’s Army (NPA) recruitment activities in several educational institutions across Panay Island.
Major General Marion Sison, commander of the 3ID, addressed these claims following statements made by Police Colonel Randy Arceo, Directorate for Operations of the PNP, during a recent Senate inquiry.
In the inquiry, it was disclosed that among 102 schools identified with NPA recruitment activities nationwide, three are located in Western Visayas: West Visayas State University (WVSU) – Calinog Campus in Iloilo Province, Putian National High School in Cuartero, Capiz, and Capiz State University (CAPSU) in Dumarao, Capiz.
“The reports from our PNP colleagues do not seem to reflect the reality on the ground. As of now, we have not monitored any new recruitment efforts by the NPA at these locations,” said Sison.
Sison, however, acknowledged the persistent threat of NPA recruitment, pointing out the existence of affiliated organizations or legal fronts leading these efforts.
This has prompted sustained operations by the Philippine Army to counteract these activities, he said.
“One of the challenges for the Philippine Army and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) is how to sustain our gains to fully defeat this local terrorist group,” added Sison.
The major general also noted a strategic shift by the NPA towards targeting Indigenous People (IP) communities for recruitment, given the increasing difficulty of infiltrating educational settings.
However, Sison reassured the public that penetration efforts in these areas are being thwarted by active military presence, including the 301st Infantry Brigade and the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) that are patrolling these high-risk areas.
Sison also highlighted collaborative efforts with the Regional Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Department of Education (DepEd).
These partnerships aim to conduct regular visitations to schools and universities to prevent them from becoming hotbeds of recruitment, he said.
“The feedback from our collaborative efforts has been positive, significantly hindering NPA’s ability to recruit students and youth,” stressed Sison.
The only recent case involving a student known to Sison was from the University of the Philippines – Visayas, who became an activist and eventually joined the NPA, only to be killed in an encounter in Miag-ao, Iloilo between 2019 and 2022.
The issue of radicalization and recruitment in educational institutions by local communist terrorist groups was the focus of the Senate Inquiry conducted by the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on August 6, led by Sen. Ronaldo “Bato” Dela Rosa.
According to the PNP, there have been 168 students recruited by the NPA from various high schools and universities between 2014 and 2024.
For its part, WVSU-Calinog campus vehemently denied allegations of recruitment activities by the NPA on its premises.
Dr. Rosario Clarabel Contreras, the Campus Administrator, emphasized, “I categorically deny the PNP report concerning NPA recruitment and insurgency on our campus. These claims do not reflect our institution’s reality.”
She assured that the WVSU-Calinog campus is committed to providing a high-quality education and maintaining a safe environment for intellectual development.
The Campus Administrator detailed the proactive measures taken by the campus, including vigilant security teams and annual security awareness programs conducted by their Air Force ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) in coordination with authorized government agencies. An internal investigation found no evidence supporting the claims of recruitment activities or insurgency.
Dr. Contreras also highlighted the campus’ commitment to transparency, integrity, and the rule of law, which she stressed has garnered overwhelming community support.
Furthermore, the campus offers programs that foster critical thinking, civic engagement, and social responsibility, she added./PN
