The country’s quest for a lasting peace has been stalled by violence, underdevelopment, conflict, poverty, corruption and a myriad of security challenges. These continue to provide insurgents and terrorists with exploitable issues to radicalize and agitate communities. One of the sectors mostly affected by these horrendous attacks is the youth, who are easy targets for recruitment by violent extremist groups and rebel fighters. Not only are young people caught between the terror and violence perpetrated by these groups, they are also victims of the collateral damages in various levels, such as displacement; loss of livelihoods; discontinuity of education; and trauma.
As a counter-narrative in preventing violent extremism and terrorism, it is imperative that there exist national policies that will educate young people and prevent them from being radicalized. Hence, it is equally important that the government addresses the root cause of injustices that often lead to radicalization.
Peace Initiatives of the Government
Government efforts remain unchanged – peace and security policies are all geared towards convincing insurgents and terrorists to abandon the armed struggle, rejoin mainstream Philippine society and engage in peace negotiations. Beyond the peace process, the government also adopts socio-economic programs in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas by building a culture of peace and conflict sensitivity under the six-point Peace and Development Agenda of the Duterte Administration.
On July 03 2020, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act No. 11479 otherwise known as the “Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020” which intends to prevent and penalize terrorism in the Philippines. The provisions of the newly-enacted law will strengthen government measures on investigating, prosecuting and bringing to justice perpetrators and their supporters. While the recently-passed law includes tough provisions against terrorists, it likewise gives primacy to human rights and explores ways for promoting security and safety of all Filipinos from terrorists.
A National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict was created to implement an efficient mechanism and structure for the whole-of-nation approach to realize the aspiration of the Filipino people to attain inclusive and sustainable peace. Further, Task Force Balik-Loob was also created as a coordinating body that supervises the government's reintegration efforts for rebel returnees and their family members. One young former rebel who availed of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program is now set to graduate from Senior High School this year and is bound to pursue college.
Youth Involvement in Peace-Building
Cognizant of the youth’s vulnerability to radicalization, the National Youth Commission, through the Philippine Youth Development Plan, supports youth participation in the peace process and ensures their access to education and economic opportunities. The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, through the Youth Peace Table, recognizes youth leaders as agents of peace and partners of the government in putting an end to the decades-long communist rebellion and terrorism.
The Commission reiterates its support for the institutionalization of a well-regulated peace education in vulnerable communities that will help prevent the teaching of extremist ideologies. Of equal substance is the need to inculcate nationalism and discipline through a mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps program in academic institutions. The Commission likewise emphasizes the importance of the Sangguniang Kabataan in establishing peace and development programs for the youth. Grassroots initiatives providing social and economic assistance to vulnerable youth can encourage them to support the government and not resort to armed struggle.
As young people tend to be easily enticed to extreme ideologies, it is crucial for them to be wary on organizations that promote division, hate and violence. Being critical on social issues remains to be a civic responsibility, but our actions should always be anchored on the principles of peace, justice, and mutual respect. While conflict may be inevitable in every society, there are still countless ways to address security challenges without resorting to cruelty and terror. Consistent with our advocacy to strengthen youth participation in peace-building and security, the will of the Filipino youth must be loud and clear: “end violent extremism and armed rebellion; peace is the solution."
