Don't allow CPP to use you, AFP appeals to youth

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) appealed to the youth not to allow themselves to be used by communist rebels and to avoid using violent means in expressing their concerns to the government.

In a radio interview, AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. warned that the rebels are using issues such as tuition hikes to influence and recruit young people especially idealistic ones.

 “We ask the youth especially those who are aggressive and full of idealism. They should not act recklessly. They should not let themselves to be used. We should resort to diplomacy to achieve our objectives,” Burgos told radio dzBB.

“Their statements may be legitimate but if they use violence, then our police forces would not allow that. It is against the law,” he added.

 Burgos was responding to a press release by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), which claimed that the student actions in the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and the University of the Philippines (UP) could escalate to a bigger mass unrest.

 In the statement released on the eve of its 41st anniversary, CPP lauded the PUP students who destroyed chairs to protest tuition hikes, saying they inspired the Filipinos to step up mass struggle against the government.

 “The intense student protest actions at the PUP and UP last week are a portent of bigger and more vigorous students and people’s mass protest actions… The uncompromising stance of the students…has won for them widespread admiration and support nationwide,” CPP said.

 “The CPP enjoins the students to further build up their organizations and mobilize in greater numbers …Students from other universities should learn and be inspired by the struggle and victories won by the students of PUP and UP,” it added.

Burgos said they are conducting youth leadership seminars to prevent the CPP from influencing young people. He added that developmental programs are being conducted nationwide to reduce the influence of the New People’s Army (NPA) in rural areas.

 “In 2009 alone, authorities documented 115 killing incidents perpetrated by the CPP-NPA, victimizing 117 individuals; 81 of whom were civilians and 31 were either members of the AFP, PNP (Philippine National Police), or Civilian Active Auxiliary,” he said.

“The lowly NPA rebels in the mountains are fighting a losing war to satisfy the whims and caprices of their leaders who have been enriching only themselves and their families,” Lucero said.