A local left-leaning student organization, which had infiltrated several schools in Kalinga, is now declared cleared from communist terrorist groups (CTG) affectations by the Area Clearing Evaluation Team (ACET) led by the 503rd Infantry Brigade (IB).
The Samahan ng Mag-aaral ng Kalinga (SAMAKA), established in 2002 and operated mainly in Kalinga State University, has satisfied all the parameters to be considered free from the influence of communist groups according to the Community Support Program (CSP) team that conducted the clearing operations.
The CSP team said SAMAKA is neutralized and effectively dismantled after its leaders have fled the province while its members which included teachers and students in nine schools in Kalinga withdrew their support and membership to the organization.
The resolution declaring SAMAKA insurgency-free was signed today by the ACET composed of 503rd Brigade, Kalinga Provincial Police Office, City Government of Tabuk, Department of Interior and Local Government-Kalinga, among others.
ACET chair and 503rd IB Deputy Brigade Commander Col. Christopher Sab-it welcomed the successful clearing of the student organization but acknowledged that more must be done to maintain this status and broadly address issues of Kalinga students to dissuade them from joining leftist organizations.
“As we have declared the SAMAKA cleared, makita tayo nga adu pay iti aramiden tayo,” Col. Sab-it said.
He agreed with the consensus in the ACET meeting that the intelligence and security sector along with local government units must provide programs and activities for the young people of Kalinga so that they will not fall prey to the recruitment activities of communist groups.
“The military will be looking into the [Peace and Order and Public Safety Plan of the city] kung kasama lagi ‘yung police and army activities,” he said.
“The CUCPD (Capacitating Urban Communities for Peace and Development) Program is a new platform kung saan marami tayong pwedeng ilagay na program and activities to address the recruitment of young people in Kalinga and in Tabuk City,” he added.
By CPIO
