Albayalde to leftist groups: Explain alleged recruitment of minors

MANILA, Philippines — Leftist groups must answer the allegation of some parents that minors were recruited to join their ranks, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said on Thursday.

“Bakit hindi nila sagutin yung mga allegations o yung sinasabi ng magulang? Bakit kami ang may sala dito. Hindi po kami. Sagutin nila ang mga magulang,” Albayalde told reporters after the presentation and blessing of newly-procured police equipment in Camp Crame.

“Bakit ‘di nila sagutin isa-isa yung mga sinasabi ng mga magulang kahapon? ‘Yun ang challenge natin sa kanila, sagutin nila kung nasaan yung mga anak nila na umiiyak at nagdadalamhati,” Albayalde added.

Albayalde was reacting to the allegation by some parents during a Senate probe that their children, who are minors, were recruited by groups Anakbayan and League of Filipino Students.

READ: Minors joining leftist groups worse off than drug users, parent says at Senate probe

The PNP chief further criticized the leftists groups, saying they should not blame the government over allegations of missing children.

“Hindi yung sinasabi nila, in general, o pakana na naman ito ng gobyerno, pakana na naman ito ng [Armed Forces of the Philippines] at PNP,” Albayalde said.

Albayalde added that the PNP is searching for the missing minors for fear they could get involved in armed encounters between police and rebel groups.

“That is the very reason kung bakit hinahanap natin ito kasi ang kinatatakutan natin na baka ito nasa bundok na baka madamay ito sa maging engkwentro between PNP and rebels,” Albayalde said.

According to Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, 513 minors turned communist rebels were either killed or surrendered from 1999 to 2019. /muf

READ: Dela Rosa: 513 minors recruited by NPA ‘neutralized’ in last two decades

READ: Mothers of minors recruited by leftist groups turn emotional at Senate probe