Here is a true account of a mother determined to fight against the recruitment of children by communist groups.
In bustling Quezon City, where the vibrant cityscape blends with the rich cultural tapestry of the Philippines, lives a mother whose life has been forever changed by an unthinkable tragedy when one of her daughters, Louvaine Erika, immediately after turning 18 years old in late 2018, left home to join the militant youth group Anakbayan as a full-time member.
Luisa Espina is a compassionate and tenacious woman who envisioned a promising future for her daughters. Unbeknownst to her, the innocent and impressionable mind of Louvaine Erika was enticed by alluring promises of radical transformation and longing for acceptance, eventually leading her down a treacherous path within a "deceitful and ruthless underground organization."
The Espinas' home was always a haven of love and joy, where the family shared warmth and laughter. Louvaine, a vibrant and spirited 16-year-old, represented their aspirations and dreams. Luisa and her husband exerted great effort to give their daughters every chance at a prosperous future.
Nevertheless, a subtle shift in Louvaine's demeanor and actions was noticed during her mid-teen years. The initial signs of concern emerged when Louvaine started expressing radical political opinions and actively engaging in activism at her school. She became increasingly distant from her family, drifting away from childhood friends and isolating herself in her room. She seemed disconnected from her identity and her family, loved ones and friends.
At this point, Luisa's maternal instincts detected a sense of unease and concern.
True enough, her fears proved valid because one fateful evening, she discovered that her daughter had departed from home, leaving behind nothing but a letter brimming with revolutionary ideology.
"January, I received a letter that said it's really hard to think that you have a child like this because we lived a comfortable life, but I thought about serving the 'masang api' (oppressed masses)," the letter in Filipino read.
According to Luisa, "masang api" is frequently used by children who have joined or been recruited to allegedly "serve the people."
Devastated and desperate for answers, Luisa embarked on a personal journey to uncover the factors that led her daughter to abandon the family. Through intense emotional sessions, she gradually grasped the psychological manipulation that had ensnared her daughter.
In seeking solace and guidance from others who had experienced similar ordeals, Luisa attended support meetings for families affected by radicalization, finding comfort in the company of individuals who had traversed similar paths.
"We are parents who will testify about what happened to our children. At Hands Off Our Children, we provide an awareness drive and community service as much as we can. We will continue to spread this because young people are still missing," Luisa said.
The collective grief of families that had experienced a similar journey was transformed into a force for change. Hence, the "Hands Off Our Children Movement" was born to refute the New People's Army ideology, which preyed upon gullible young minds, in their vulnerable ages of 15 to 17 years, searching for purpose and belongingness.
Collaborating closely with law enforcement authorities, Luisa said she dedicated herself tirelessly to uncovering the operations of communist groups. She sought to expose the group's leaders and their nefarious tactics in luring, organizing, and coercing young children under the influence of cadres, enablers, and collaborators.
Another HOOC member, Anabelle, said communist groups are the number one human rights violators.
"They violate the right of parents to educate and protect their children and the child's right to be able to study and live a good and peaceful life. That is what they are taking away from these children," she said.
The campaign gathered steam and drew the interest of local media and communities. Luisa and her fellow parents took the initiative to arrange rallies, awareness campaigns, and educational workshops to enlighten parents and children about the hazards associated with the recruitment efforts of communist front organizations in schools, universities and communities.
Almost five years since her daughter left home, Luisa remains resolute in her mission to protect other mothers from the pain she has experienced. HOOC offers hope and support to numerous families dealing with the threat of child recruitment by communist terrorists.
Despite the obstacles, Luisa holds onto the belief that the day will come when she and her daughter will be reunited.
While progress has been made, much work remains to be done. There are still young people who are missing, and HOOC will not rest until they are safely returned to their families.