PNP asks students: Shun NPA off-campus activities

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday warned students against joining off-campus activities organized by groups with suspected links to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao issued the warning amid the reported participation of students in CPP-NPA activities, including armed encounters with government forces.

Bulalacao advised students not to visit areas with heavy presence of communist rebels.

“I advise them to avoid compromising situations and possible conflict with the law while engaged in CPP-NPA activities,” he said.

Bulalacao also cautioned parents to be aware of the extracurricular activities of their children that are not approved by school officials.

Without naming names, Bulalacao said some members of militant youth and student organizations have been monitored participating in indoctrination and social immersion courses at rebel training camps during the summer break.

In November 2017, Josephine Anne Lapira, 22, a student of  the University of the Philippines in Manila, was among those killed in an encounter with soldiers in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Lapira was a member of Gabriela Youth.