Tiffany Geluz 

Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa claimed that recruiters from the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), easily recruit students from the University of the Philippines (UP).

Photo Courtesy of SINAG/Rappler.

“'Pag nakita niyo ang isang estudyante na medyo matalino – pag UP talaga matalino naman talaga eh – medyo matalino tapos medyo tahimik, tapos medyo parang galit sa mundo,” he said.

“‘Yan ang napakadaling i-recruit doon na magiging extremist at magbe-bear ng firearms, sumama sa NPA," he stated during the resumption of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs’ inquiry into the alleged continuous recruitment of students to communist groups.

Dela Rosa described NPA recruiters roaming around campuses to engage students in joining. 

“‘Yung mga recruiter d'yan sa mga campuses... nag-o-observe lang ‘yan na very ripe for the picking, very ripe na low hanging fruits na pwede nilang makuha kaagad," he said. 

He urged educational institutions to use “profiling of students” by guidance counselors to identify those vulnerable to NPA recruitment.

The senator also asserted that students recruited would carry firearms. 

Jonathan Malaya, National Security Council Assistant Director General, declared that the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict  was ready to cooperate with the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Education to resolve this issue. 

"Schools must immediately be insulated from this persistent threat posed by these front organizations and school authorities have a responsibility to keep them safe especially in school premises," Malaya expressed.

He added that NPA recruitment activities, along with those of youth groups and student organizations, have become active again under the Marcos administration.

“Nu'ng nag-imbestiga tayo nito, medyo huminto sila sa pag-re-recruit, medyo kumalma, medyo natakot. Ngayong nagbago ang administration parang tila lumakas na naman 'yung loob nila. Nand'yan na naman sila nag-re-recruit,” he explained.

During the hearing, PNP Directorate for Operations Randy Arceo reported that 168 students joined communist-terrorist groups from 2014 to 2024.