Centcom to do campus tours to stop infiltration
By Justin Anjuli K. Vestil
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 11:15:00 09/26/2008
The Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command (AFP Centcom) will conduct campus tours all around Central Visayas to prevent any possible communist infiltration in schools.
Lt. Gen. Pedro “Ike” Inserto, Centcom commander, yesterday said that after the death of Rachelle Mae Palang, the military decided to focus on educating students whom they considered unwilling victims of campus infiltration conducted by communist rebels.
Lt. Col. Oscar Lasangue of the AFP Centcom 3rd Civil Relations Division said that for the past two years, they have been conducting information drives in schools to educate students about communist insurgency.
"They (rebels) would pick promising students and use them as their political officers," said Lasangue.
Lasangue said newly recruited students would begin their training through barangay immersion.
Lasangue said the military would conduct information drives not only in universities and colleges but also in secondary schools.
Inserto said they have a short list of students involved in cause-oriented groups, but said they would not conduct surveillances in schools.
"We don't do surveillance in schools. We will only address the armed component of the communists rebels," said Inserto.
Inserto denounced the resolution passed by Provincial Board Member Victor Maambong asking the Human Rights Commission to conduct an investigation to see if an encounter actually happened in Negros Oriental when Palang, Bernardo Villalongja and Jerry Cabangay were killed.
“Why did he say that our soldiers were fighting enemies under dubious circumstances?” asked Inserto.
Inserto said government officials should support the soldiers since they are fighting and staking their lives for the country.
Maambong earlier said he was not convinced that Palang was a rebel.
Inserto said Maambong, as an elected official, should support the government troops instead of doubting military operations.
Inserto also lashed back at human rights group Karapatan, which has been critical of the military.
“I challenge Karapatan to take care of our wounded soldiers also and help in their hospitalization,” Inserto said.
Last Wednesday, Private First Class Recto Amobayaen Jr. was wounded during an encounter in barangay Manlukahok, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental.
“They should run after NPA (New People’s Army) since our man was wounded,” Inserto said.
Also yesterday morning, 2Lt. Romulado Rubi Sr., leader of the 79th Infantry Battalion, was wounded when a fire fight ensued between his men and rebels in sitio Bagakay, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.
According to Tampus, a civilian voulnteer, Maximo Acabal, was also hurt in the same incident.
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