VIGAN CITY (PIA) - - The Department of Education (DepEd)-Schools Division of Ilocos Sur tapped the Philippine Army, through the 71st Infantry Battalion (IB), to conduct an information and awareness drive against insurgency among the participants of the 2022 Division Youth Summit held recently.

The three-day summit was held at Cabugao National High School in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, and was attended by at least 200 student leaders in the province.

According to the DepEd, it was filled with various activities which were conducted to empower and capacitate student leaders in terms of managing youth development programs, civic engagement and other youth-related programs, projects and activities within their school.

As one of the vulnerable sectors on the influence of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTG), Schools Division Superintendent Jorge Reinante deemed it vital to inform the student leaders about this, hence, instil in them the values of patriotism, nationalism, discipline, and respect as the future of the country.

“The lecture of 71st IB on CTG deceptive recruitment and preventing violent extremism among the students is a good avenue for the Philippine Army to inform and warn our students on the ills of communism. Also, their presence during the summit made it more fruitful as they were able to inspire our students to selflessly serve our country, a value that every citizen must possess,” Reinante said.

Lt. Col. Michael Bautista, Commanding Officer of the 71st IB, agreed to Superintendent Reinante on the importance of the info drive because due to the students’ youthful idealism and intellect, CTG recruiters exploit their vulnerability and end up leaving their school and families and worst become members of the New People’s Army and die in an armed encounter.

“We want to express our gratitude to DepEd-Ilocos Sur for being our partner in safeguarding a great future for our youth away from the ills of communism. Our information and awareness drives have been conducted to around 20 secondary schools in the province which benefitted around five thousand junior and high school students,” said Lieutenant Colonel Bautista.

Second Lieutenant Mae Pearl Agustin, Civil-Military Operations Officer of the 71st IB, discussed the evils of communism, CTG propaganda schemes, especially among the student sector and different efforts of the government to isolate the youth from CTG influence and recruitment.

She also highlighted the vital role of the youth in nation-building and that student leaders must focus on developing themselves in reaching their aspirations so that they can contribute to nation-building in the near future and that involvement in negative activism and supporting the CTG will only destroy their lives. (JCR/JJPD/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)