BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- A former New People's Army (NPA) rebel called on the leaders of the local government units and concerned government agencies to intensify their information education campaign to inform the public especially the youth about the modus operandi of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
 
"We appeal and call on the (leaders) in the region sa Cordillera, ng DepEd at CHED, to embark and invest much time and resources for a public awareness on security briefing and information campaign to expose the different modus operandi using front organizations, rallies, and issues so that wala ng mga kabataan ang puwedeng malinlang at maloko,"  said Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz, in a press briefing initiated by PTV Cordillera on Monday (April 17).

Celiz underlined that schools or universities are the potential serious targets of youth and student recruitment, radicalization, and infiltration program of the CPP-NPA-NDF.

He said that with the intensified information campaign combined with the successful implementation of various government programs, good governance packages, and with the implementation of the law, the organization will cease to exist in about two years.
 
"Kapag lumarga ang aggressive and sustained information caravan, information security awareness, in schools and universities, we will deny them the capability to recruit people at palakasin ang local peace engagement and law enforcement doon sa ayaw sumunod sa awtoridad ng gobyerno. Two years will be a good tentative timeline table that can be accomplished by the government," he said.

Celiz added that to fast-track the dismantling of the CPP-NPA-NDF, there is also a need for the implementation of the Anti-Terrorism Law and for the Philippine National Police to improve their case build up and prosecutorial batting average once a communist terrorist group member (CTG) or leader is arrested.
 
He also shared that based on the recent data on Defense and National Security Situation released by the Department of National Defense and the National Security Council, out of the 89 guerilla fronts in the country, 69 were already dismantled, with only six actively operating in Agusan, Surigao, Negros, Samar, and Bicol area.
 
Likewise, more than 30,000 mass based, underground mass supporters, local militia of the NPA and regular NPA, all combined  surrendered with more than 12,000 high powered rifles confiscated and demobilized.
 
According to Celiz, the death of Joma Sison is a "signal of irreversible decay and decline of the entire CPP-NPA-NDF" wherein the problem right now is the leadership direction and leadership sustainability.
 
Recently, one of the top leaders of CPP-NPA-NDF identified as Eric Jun Casilao was deported back to the Philippines after his arrest in Malaysia. Celiz said Casilao is the top leader of the organization in Southern Mindanao with standing warrants of arrest in the country for cases of kidnapping, serious illegal detention, and murder. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)