COCOPEA Warns Terror Groomers: "Schools Are Not Recruitment Centers for Extremism and Violent Movements"

August 8, 2024

The head of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) on Tuesday (August 6, 2024), unequivocally warned terror groomers to stay away from their schools and to spare their students from being recruited into violent extremism. This statement was made during a Senate hearing by the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, chaired by Senator Ronald dela Rosa.

"First, it is very clear to all the member schools and organizations I mentioned that our identity and mission center on providing education. We simply want to prepare our graduates for employability, careers, college, and meaningful lives. Second, it is also very clear to us that we are here to provide moral and spiritual values. Therefore, our colleges, universities, and schools are not recruitment centers for extremism and violent movements," Reverend Albert Delvo stated during the hearing.

He clarified that he was speaking on behalf of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) and the Manila Ecclesiastical Province School Systems Association (MEPSSA), both member associations of COCOPEA.

The hearing focused on Senator dela Rosa’s Resolution 863, which investigates the persistent radicalization and recruitment of students by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and its student front organizations such as the Kabataang Makabayan (KM), Anakbayan, and the League of Filipino Students (LFS), among others.

The investigation, in aid of legislation, also scrutinizes the potential involvement of certain school officials in allowing terror groomers to radicalize and recruit students into the armed struggle promoted by the Maoist-inspired NPA, the armed wing of the CPP.

Member government agencies of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), like the Philippine National Police (PNP), informed Senator dela Rosa's committee about the persistent terror grooming schemes of the CPP-NPA-NDF in schools, carried out under the guise of academic freedom and free speech, which they argue have "destroyed the lives and future of many of our youth."

Police Colonel Randy Arceo from the PNP-Directorate for Operations reported that some 168 students, who were groomed and eventually joined the NPA between 2014 and the present, have either been killed in battle (33), arrested (42), or have surrendered (93).

These victims of radicalization and recruitment into the NPA were drawn from colleges, universities, and even some high and elementary schools across the country.

"Second, if any schools, colleges, or universities are mentioned in the initial findings, these findings will need to be validated. We respect the initial findings, subject to verification or authentication, but these are minimal aberrations and deviations from what is usual and normal. Our universities, colleges, and schools operate free from suspicious or unlawful engagements and activities," Delvo stated during the hearing.

"Third, our universities, colleges, and schools have appropriate offices which designated and trained competent, and committed individuals who administer organizations that monitor, motivate, and mentor vulnerable individuals. They proactively and responsibly provide services and guidance to those who might be classified as vulnerable to recruitment and indoctrination, while also addressing mental health issues."

"Fourth, our schools, universities, and colleges uphold the sanctity of every person and human life. To us, human lives are sacred, whether they are government soldiers or insurgents. Lives must be respected, revered, and valued. Our futures are bright and meaningful if we promote peace, justice, harmony, and security," the COCOPEA head emphasized.

Delvo also expressed appreciation for the collaboration with the NTF-ELCAC National Secretariat, led by Executive Director and Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., in explaining to the association the pernicious effects of terror grooming on the education and future of students.

"We share with NTF-ELCAC in their initiatives at providing a ‘whole-of-nation approach.’ This problem cannot be addressed solely through armed confrontation or encounters, which only result in the loss of lives. Lives must be respected, revered, valued, and protected. We are open to working with government agencies that promote the ‘whole-of-nation approach,’ which includes expanding and increasing services to the Filipino people, fostering development in the countryside, and promoting dialogue and collaboration for a bright and prosperous future for this country," he said.

"And finally, we appeal to all, especially the government, to reject violence and killing. This appeal extends not only to the government but to all sectors or organizations that may be engaged in armed struggle. Our schools, colleges, and universities are very clear: no to violence, no to extremism and terrorism, no to red-tagging, and no to the violation of human rights," he added.

NTF-ELCAC MEDIA BUREAU

Ref: Joel M. Sy Egco

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