A parents’ group called on the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) to stop recruiting their children for their fight against the government.
Arlene Escalante, a representative of the League of Parents of the Philippines, condemned the alleged recruitment of children into the communist movement during the group’s rally at EDSA Shrine in Quezon City on Thursday.
“This is very unprecedented that one day, the parents will rise in defense of their children,” Escalante said in an interview.
“I think the most lethal weapon, most dangerous weapon on earth is an angry mother,” she added.
Several groups also staged simultaneous indignation rallies against the communist movement in various areas in Metro Manila a day after Christmas, which coincided with the 51st founding anniversary of the CPP-NPA.
“Our call is to stop recruiting our children. Pwede ba, ‘wag niyong gamitin ang kabataan para sa inyong adhikain,” she said.
She also called for the return of CPP founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison to the country. Sison have been in asylum in the Netherlands for decades after the Philippine government cancelled his Philippine passport.
“At ‘yang si Joma, umuwi ka na para harapin ang iyong kaso sa Pilipinas.” she added.
The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 32 issued in August an arrest warrant against Sison and his co-accused for murder over the so-called “Inopacan massacre” in Leyte in the 1980s.
Escalante claimed that they have members in their league, whose children as young as 16 years old, have been recruited by the rebel group.
“We have parent members na mismong nga anak nila ay ni-recruite at the age of 16 and 17 at nandoon pa rin sa bundok. Ayaw na magsipag-uwi ng iba. Why? Because they have been brainwashing our children,” she said.
Demonstrators, some of them opted to cover their faces with masks and towels, held placards and tarpaulins calling for an end to terrorism and criticizing the CPP-NPA and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. (Jhon Casinas)
