Police says students of UP, PUP ‘immerse’ in communist camps

SOME STUDENTS of the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) were reported to be visiting encampments of communist rebels in Laguna. Chief Supt. Edward E. Carranza, police regional director of CALABARZON (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon), told reporters on Monday that there are students of the two state universities who are “immersing” with members of the Dumagat tribe who have been recruited by the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed unit of the Communist Party of the Philippines. “‘Yung word na nandito (The word here) is ‘immersing’ so whether they will stay there or what pero (but) it’s not within (or) part ng (of the) curriculum,” Mr. Carranza said. He cited reports from members of the Dumagat indigenous group, who used to be part of the NPA and surrendered to authorities over the weekend. Among them was a certain Ka Ruben, who said in the same press conference that NPA rebels threatened young people, especially students to join them. Mr. Carranza also noted that the intelligence unit of the communist rebels go to the houses of students to recruit them. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras