DILG to NPA: Stop recruiting minors

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday slammed communist rebels for their continuous recruitment of students and minors.

“Spare our young people from your lies and deception,” DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said.

Año made the call amid reports that minors were among those killed in recent clashes between soldiers and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

He cited the killing of a young NPA fighter in Carmen, Surigao del Sur last May 19 and a 15-year-old in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur on April 21.

Año said NPA rebels capitalize on socioeconomic issues, such as the cost of education, neglect of the youth sector and lack of career opportunities, to indoctrinate the youth on communist ideology.

“The youth are a brave, curious and adventurous bunch. The communists take advantage of these qualities along with their vulnerabilities to deceive, manipulate and threaten them into becoming one of their own,” he said.

Año appealed to the youth to train their sights on productive endeavors instead of being “led into the spider’s web.”

“Don’t fall into the deception and smooth talk of the communists. I tell you, it is a trap.  They will sow hatred and lies on your heads so that you will become their vessel to unknowingly work to push their twisted ideology,” he said.