DILG warns against deceitful Students’ Day activities

Youth organizations are passionate about issues they strongly believe in. (Getty Images)

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año urged the youth “to think twice and be more discerning” before participating in events organized by groups not sanctioned by the National Youth Commission (NYC).

Año said various student organizations have lined up a series of activities in observance of the National Students’ Day but these are not endorsed by the government.

One event Año cited was the 1st National Students’ Youth Camp this weekend while several others are slated in different campuses of the University of the Philippines until 21 November.

Among those behind the 1st National Students Youth Camp, according to Año, are the UP Office of the Student Regent, National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), College Editors Guild of the Philippines, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines, and Kabataan Partylist.

The DILG chief strongly advised those who took part and are thinking of joining similar events to not be swayed and “fall into the trap of the enemies of the state whose ultimate motive is to overthrow the government.”

“We just want to make it clear that the 1st National Students’ Youth Camp as well as the other activities organized by the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) and other allied groups are not government-endorsed. These are separate activities that are not sanctioned by the government and the NYC,” Año said in a statement.

Under Republic Act 11369, or the National Students’ Day Act, it is the NYC that is tasked to lead the annual program of activities for the National Students’ Day with the support of the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education. The NYC is an agency under the DILG.

Año has been receiving queries from the public, particularly parents, if the government is aware of and encouraging the attendance of the youth in said camp and other NUSP-led activities as circulated on social media.

He expressed concern over reports that the activities are being used by groups being used as fronts of the left to agitate, deceive, and recruit the youth into joining the communist movement.

“While the intent of RA 11369 is to inculcate love of country and social responsibility among the youth, leftist groups are taking advantage and riding on the observance of the National Students’ Day to do the opposite and that is to fuel distrust in the government and duly constituted authorities and advance their communist agenda,” stated Año.

While the government recognizes the right of the camp organizers to conduct such activities, they, too, should be wary of becoming instruments of communist front organizations for recruitment, said the DILG boss.

“Don’t allow yourselves to be used. Use your talents and skills for worthwhile activities that will help in nation-building and not in those that will veer you away from the right path,” Año concluded.