YOUTH MOVEMENT. The Philippine National Police-Cordillera inducts 350 young residents of Tanudan, Kalinga into the ‘Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo’ program. The movement aims to provide counseling and inclusion into community-based activities to prevent the youth from being recruited by communist terrorist groups. (Photo courtesy of Tanudan Municipal Police)
BAGUIO CITY – A program that promotes peace and keeps the youth away from illegal drugs was hatched by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to avoid recruitment by the communist terrorist organizations (CTGs).
The PNP’s Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo (KKDAT) aims to educate the youth not to fall for the deceitful tactics of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Capt. Marnie Abellanida, Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCor) information officer, said Friday KKDAT is a program aligned with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
“Through the KKDAT, the youth is provided with development sessions, counseling, awareness about substance abuse, and the deception of CTGs,” he said in an interview.
To date, there are now 2,643 KKDAT members in the Cordillera, including 350 from Tanudan, Kalinga inducted this week.
“We can help hone their potentials and build their self-confidence,” Abellanida said.
KKDAT members can join various PNP activities like community service and tree planting.
“Sa pamamagitan ng mga good channels at activities na ito, napapakita natin sa mga kabataan na marami silang magagawa para maka-contribute sa ikakabuti ng bayan (Through these activities, we can show the youth that there are several ways to contribute to the nation),” Abellanida said.
Col. Maly Cula, chief of the Regional Community Affairs and Development of PROCOr, said joining the KKDAT can prevent the youth from being recruited by the NPA.
“Instead na ma-recruit sila sa kabila, kami na lang re-recruit sa kanila. Mapapabuti pa ang lagay nila (Instead of being recruited by the other side, we will be the ones to recruit them and help them become better persons),” he said.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order No. 70 in December 2018, creating the NTF-ELCAC that employs a whole-of-nation approach to end communism and institute peace-building initiatives.
The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
