By Jennifer P. Rendon
One of the six universities in Panay Island that was earlier named as a target of the rebel movement’s alleged recruitment and radicalization denied any knowledge that such activities were happening in any of its campuses.
Over the weekend, the Aklan State University released an official statement in reaction to the claims of the National Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) naming several schools that the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) has targeted for radicalization and recruitment.
The list also includes the University of the Philippines Visayas, West Visayas State University, Central Philippine University, Filamer Christian University, Capiz State University, and Aklan State University.
“During my incumbency as ASU President and that of my predecessors, the university has not been aware of any recruitment by rebel groups inside the hallowed grounds of ASU, nor have authorities apprised the university of such activities,” Dr. Emily Arangote, SUC President III, said.
Arangote cited that the university’s vision is to be a pillar of excellence and our purpose of existence is to become a channel of hope, inspiration, and peace to our students, community, and stakeholders.
“ASU is composed of peace-loving and caring people whose heart’s desire is to always assist and care for our constituents and stakeholders.”
Arangote, however, acknowledged the mutual partnership between the university and the government in bringing about development in the countryside, given that it is “situated in a bustling agro-industrial region.
She also cited that ASU has shown its strong support to our uniformed men and women as a member of the Site Coordinating Team of the RTF-ELCAC project with Kapatiran in upland Ibajay. ASU is a front-runner partner in bringing about the attainment of a dreamed and modeled inclusive community.
“Given the strong ties we have forged with Local Government Units, I admit that I am saddened by the claim that ASU is one of the universities that serve as a recruiting ground for communists. It is an affront to the dedication of the ASU community, whose goal is to promote globally competitive professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs through quality education,” she said.
“Despite this, I am still grateful to the NTF-ELCAC for enlightening us in the academe on the deceptive maneuvers of rebel groups. I strongly believe that the enlightenment from the NTF-ELCAC will not lessen the ardent optimism of students, parents, and partner institutions, but will protect our institution from the deceptive and destructive recruitment of the communist group,” she added.
Amid all the allegations against the university, Arangote stressed that ASU has always been and will always be an academic community that will remain a citadel of freedom and democracy.
“The University governance will remain to sustain the guaranteed right to free speech and assembly of our faculty and students and the whole ASU community,” she said.
Further, “the university will continue to respect the free expression of ideas that will inevitably generate productive learnings. ASU will continue to uphold the advancement of the dignity of human persons, its freedom and independence, thus we are resolute to nurture our students even in these challenging times.”
Arangote also vowed that ASU had not and will never support, nor allow, any violent movement aimed at overthrowing the government.
“We will not allow communist-terrorist groups to destroy the future of our students; hence, ASU is one with the peace-loving Aklanons in denouncing their criminal activities,” she said.
“From here on, we shall forge a partnership with the RTF-ELCAC to alienate our school from terroristic threats. We will do what is right and best to protect our school and students,” she said.
OPEN COMMUNICATION
Following ASU’s statement, the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, a key member of RTF-ELCAC, lauded the university’s stand on NPA’s radicalization attempts.
“The key to understanding is open communication. We are happy that Aklan State University (ASU) opened its doors to the RTF-ELCAC for a dialogue. We are happy the university was enlightened on the information presented,” Major Cenon Pancito III, 3rd ID spokesperson, said.
Pancito noted that the island has a problem with insurgency, especially on the crippling maneuvers of the CPP-NPA to infiltrate the academe and recruit potential students to the CPP-NPA ranks.
“As the first move in addressing the problem is for everyone to know the problem and accept that, indeed, there is a problem. From there, we can forge measures in how we are to face our problems,” he said.
Further, “ASU and the RTF ELCAC backed with the different agencies under its umbrella, share the same vision of protecting the school as an institution and the students as the future of this nation. Both institutions now believe in fighting for academic freedom, especially on the intrusion of these communists who organize students to be future rebels.”
Pancito noted that real culprit is neither the school nor the government seriously working to end the local communist armed conflict but the terrorist CPP-NPA.
“With the partnership now at hand, we can collectively alienate the schools from the CPP-NPA and allow ASU to mold promising young individuals into worthy citizens of this country,” he said.
