By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – The Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) on Monday reiterated the concern of U.S.-based Filipino-Americans Against Communist Terrorism (FACT) following reports of recruitment of Filipino American youths to individuals linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
2ID public affairs office chief Col. Michael Aquino said this development reflects a disturbing pattern of recruitment targeting young individuals abroad.
“The information coming from various sources, including Filipino-American organizations themselves, confirm that the CPP-NPA continues to recruit and exploit young people, including those from overseas communities, and draw them into a terrorist movement that endangers their lives,” he said in a statement.
Aquino said that Filipino American youths are often tricked into believing they are supporting a noble cause.
“Instead of contributing to a noble cause, they are placed in dangerous situations and used to advance a violent ideology that has brought suffering to communities for decades,” he added.
Aquino also urged families, communities, and Filipino organizations overseas to be vigilant and to help protect young people from being drawn into extremist movements
Likewise, the 2ID reiterated its call for the remaining members of the armed group to abandon violence and return to the folds of the law where government programs remain available to help them rebuild their lives and reunite with their families.
In a recent statement, FACT warned that several Filipino American activists were allegedly recruited by CPP-NPA-linked operatives in the United States and later traveled to the Philippines to undergo exposure and training with the armed group in the mountains of Occidental Mindoro.
One of those identified was Chantal Anicoche, a 24-year-old graduate of the University of Maryland, who was rescued alive by government troops on Jan. 8, following the Jan. 1 encounter in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro.
She survived days without food and water. Soldiers provided her medical assistance and humanitarian support before facilitating her safe return to her family in Maryland.
Reports also indicated that Anicoche was accompanied in Mindoro by another Filipino American activist, Cristina Pasion, who is believed to have remained with the armed group after the January encounter.
On March 29, Charlize Garzon aka ‘Ka Kaye’ was captured just a few meters away from where Army Capt. Dean Oyando was killed while two other soldiers were wounded.
Garzon is now facing criminal charges in connection with the incident.
Aside an M-16 rifle and other war materials, documents and personal belongings recovered from the encounter sites, including journals and handwritten notes, which validates the possible presence of foreign individuals within the NPA group operating in the area. (PNA)
