Parents warned of ‘signs’ of terrorist recruitment of youth

"Kailangan ng matinding de-radicalization program para matanggal sa isip nila na hindi digmaang bayan ang solusyon sa umiiral na mga problema ng Pilipinas," says Capt. Sherhannah Paiso (R) of JTF NCR, AFP. (Screengrab)

CALOOCAN CITY, Feb. 24 (PIA) -- A psychology and socio-anthropology expert of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Joint Task Force National Capital Region (JTF NCR) has warned parents to watch out for “signs” about possible radicalization and recruitment of their children by communist terrorist groups or other lawless elements.

Speaking during an inter-agency humanitarian assistance and resilience-building event spearheaded by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) and the Truth and Justice Coalition led by PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica, Capt. Sherhannah Paiso advised parents to monitor their children’s behavior and know the “signs” that would indicate whether they have been exposed to radicalization, through the kind of groups they are associated with, as well as their children’s demeanor online, especially over social media.

“Kung ikaw ay may kakilalang kabataan na nagbabago na ang ugali at nagiging radikal na ang pag-iisip, na biglang itinatapon na niya ang kanyang mga pangarap sa buhay, at akala niya na siya ay magiging hero, magiging [katulad ni] Jose Rizal [na martir] sa panahon ngayon, pigilan ninyo po siya, sa abot nang inyong makakaya o humingi ng tulong sa mga propesyunal,” Paiso said, emphasizing that prevention is always better than cure.

“Kasi, hindi na ito kaya ng usap-usap lang, meron nang ginawa sa utak nila kaya sila napaniwala nang ganito. So kailangan ng matinding de-radicalization program para matanggal sa isip nila na hindi digmaang bayan ang solusyon sa umiiral na mga problema ng Pilipinas,” she explained.

Paiso also warned the youth to be mindful of “tactics” being employed by communist terrorist groups to arouse, organize, and mobilize.

“Kaya kung may tatawag sa inyo [kabataan], huwag ka nang pumasok, mag-rally tayo. Masamang tao yan, ayaw ka niyang matuto. Kasi gusto niya kontrolado ka niya,” she said.

“Sana po maging mapanuri tayo at tama na po ang pagre-recruit nila sa mga kabataan natin, at ang paggamit nila sa mga batang sundalo na sana ay nag-aaral, na sana ay magiging duktor, scientist, lawyer sana. At maiaangat sana ang kanyang sarili at ang kanyang pamilya sa hinaharap, pero ninakaw po siya, ninakaw po ang kanyang kamusmusan, ninakaw po ang kanyang isipan, niloko po siya na ganito ang solusyon sa problema pero ‘nun pala, ipapain mo lang siya sa bundok para mamatay,” she added.

PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica personally distributes some relief items to Navotas City and Malabon City residents to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Commissioner Greco Belgica)

Aside from giving lectures and forums on anti-criminality and drug abuse prevention by members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the AFP, the inter-agency group, led by Comm. Belgica, also distributed relief goods to qualified residents across Metro Manila in a bid to furthewr promote President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs, criminality, corruption and terrorism.

The group has since visited the cities of Navotas, Malabon, and Manila to also help residents rebound from the effects and impacts of COVID-19 to the country’s public health and economy.

"Today we personally sent help with the Truth and Justice Coalition to our countrymen in Malabon and Navotas City. We brought rice, canned goods, noodles, face shields, and face masks," Belgica told the beneficiaries.

"Delivering help includes our ongoing government and the President's campaign to fight against corruption. We are also with our police who sent a message to anti-criminality, the PDEA who spoke about the bad effects of drugs, and our AFP who gave a lecture on anti-terrorism," he added. (PIA NCR)

Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)