By CESAR JOLITO III
The United Sugar Producers Federation (Unifed) has expressed support for Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson in urging schools to strengthen monitoring of students amid allegations of insurgency recruitment within academic institutions.
Unifed President Manuel Lamata said the reported presence of student leaders among fatalities in the recent encounter in Toboso highlights what he described as the continuing influence of insurgent groups on campuses.
Lamata said some of those allegedly linked to the rebel movement were students from government-funded universities, including “scholars ng bayan,” stressing that schools should take a more active role in guiding students away from armed groups.
He also called on University of St. La Salle to look into reports involving one of its supposed student leaders who was allegedly tagged as part of the rebel movement.
“How many more young lives will be extinguished because of distorted beliefs? We do not want our children to be involved in any terroristic activities,” Lamata said.
According to Lamata, recruitment inside schools has allegedly been occurring for decades, adding that educational institutions should promote democratic avenues for airing grievances rather than allowing students to sympathize with or join armed groups.
He said schools should intensify efforts to instill peace-centered values among students as classes for the new school year approach.
Lamata also echoed Lacson’s earlier call for school administrators to be aware of student activities amid reports of recruitment efforts occurring inside campuses, saying the issue should become a priority concern for academic institutions across the province.
Earlier, Lacson called on school administrators to be aware of student activities on campus amid mounting criticism from youth organizations and rights advocates who warned against possible surveillance and red-tagging.
Lacson clarified that his concern stemmed from reports allegedly indicating that recruitment activities linked to armed insurgency are taking place within educational institutions./CJ, WDJ