Senate panels urge DSWD, PNP, AFP to craft de-radicalization program

MANILA, Philippines — A joint panel of the Senate has recommended the adoption of a de-radicalization program for minors who have been recruited and indoctrinated by communist groups.

This was among the recommendations submitted in a Senate report by the committees on public order, headed by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and national defense chaired by Senator Panfilo Lacson following the investigation on the cases of missing minors who were allegedly recruited by leftist groups.

The report stated that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWS), in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), should come up with the said program.

“Integrated into this de-radicalization program is the DSWD Memorandum Circular No. 11, Series of 2019, where former rebels are now given the opportunity to be re-integrated into society, covering multiple dimensions of human life – financial, material, psychosocial, and other aspects necessary for their full return into the community,” the report noted.

The report noted that the said DSWD Memorandum order is “more focused on distributing financial assistance to former rebels” thus, the need for a program that is mainly concentrated on providing psychosocial intervention and de-radicalization.

A total of 17 senators signed the committee report, with Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon indicating that he affixed his signature “only for the purpose of submitting the report for plenary debate/consideration.”/ac

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