The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday, Sept. 5, confirmed that it is currently coordinating with concerned law enforcement agencies to “put a stop” to the alleged recruitment activities of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Metro Manila schools.
“We cannot give the names of the schools due to the sensitive nature of the issue,” DepEd Undersecretary and Spokesperson Michael Poa told reporters in a Viber message.
During the Senate hearing on DepEd's proposed 2024 budget on Sept. 4, Poa alleged that 16 public high schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) are involved in NPA recruitment activities.
When asked for more details on the matter, Poa maintained that “info was vetted by NICA [National Intelligence Coordinating Agency], as I mentioned during the hearing yesterday.”
Poa explained that DepEd has “no specific information” as to when the said “recruitment activities” started in these NCR schools.
“As mentioned, this is an ongoing operation and we are getting as much info as we can,” he said.
To put a stop to these alleged recruitment activities, Poa noted that DepEd will release relevant details “for as long as it will not interfere with operations” of the law enforcement agencies.
Meanwhile, Poa assured that DepEd is “addressing the issue with the relevant law enforcement agencies and crafting awareness programs for our learners.”
Clarification needed
Meanwhile, a group of teachers cautioned DepEd on its statement regarding alleged NPA recruitment in NCR schools.
"We understand that this information is confidential because it concerns security,” said Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) National Chairperson Benjo Basas in a mix of English and Filipino.
“However, because of that statement, all high schools in the NCR can be suspected as potential NPA recruitment schools,” he added.
Basas added that so far, TDC has not monitored “anything like that.”
“Also, when we say 'NPA recruitment in the 16 public high schools,' it should ideally mean that a student has been positively identified as having joined the NPA, gone to the mountains, and become a combatant.” he added.
Given this, Basas urged DepEd to clarify what it meant by “NPA recruitment in schools.”
“If there is indeed recruitment happening in the school, teachers should be quick to notice that [and] I don't think our teachers would allow that to happen,” he ended.