Aldrin Paolo P.

Cruto
BS Criminology 3-1

NON-INSTITUTIONAL CORRECTION:
REACTION PAPER ON PREVENTING AND COUNTERING VIOLENT
EXTREMISM

March 24, Saturday a seminar was held at the Cvsu- Quadrangle talking
about “Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism”. The said seminar was
conducted to inform the youth or to give knowledge to the youth/students and LGUs
of Indang, Cavite about radicalization of terrorist. The enemy is not the people but
their beliefs, their ideology. People have different perspective on things; we all have
different understanding. That difference may lead to extremism, a belief that is very
far from what most of us consider correct or reasonable. Beliefs can lead to
extremism and a person with strong belief on to something can do some things like
forming a group by persuading them or making them believes to his/her ideology,
terrorism. The Government has goal to achieve the Filipino Dream to make all
Filipinos happy and comfortable to their life, but there are always obstacles like
terrorism because some people fight without fear, they are fighting from their
perspective.

The officers/guest speakers explain to us the strategic plans and legacy plans
to prevent and counter violent extremism. First is the project of the DILG, known as
MASA MASID project stands for “Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayang
Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga”, This project will said to helps us know more and be more
aware about corruption, drug trafficking and violent extremism. But in order to have
peaceful, orderly and safe community we need to start informing the LGU’s or the
Local Government Units, we need to start on the lower section of the government.

Second is the background of violent extremism, as we have seen on the “Marawi

siege” the effects of terrorism radicalized to people especially to the youths. Terrorist
ideology brain washed people to join the group resulting to violent extremism
inflicting massive fear to the community, they use fear for them to be recognized.
Anti-terrorism is the prevention of terrorism in our country especially to community
while Counter Terrorism is the role of law enforcer, soldier of the Philippines and also
the community to resist the radicalization of terrorism in our country. Third is the
community anti-terrorism awareness, in this topic we need to trust and coordinate to
the police. Give them information if there is something suspicious in order for them to
be aware of what happen in our environment. I noticed nowadays, there are only few
situations that people coordinate to the police if there is something suspicious in their
environment, people nowadays are too busy in social media they don’t have time to
notice problems around them like terrorism. We are too blinded by social media; we
are too preoccupied to things that we forget some issues like this. We need to be
aware that we are a growing country the temptations is high. We need to be
familiarized to things, be more alarmed or alert. Prevention is the key, planning is a
must. The government needs to start thinking of some ways on how to inform people
the importance of awareness.

Fourth is the Terrorist also use the internet, this is not the ice age internet is
powerful. Terrorist may use internet to communicate for their propaganda through
social media platforms, their goal of spreading their messages is to make their
ideology seem appealing and to attract more people to join to their organization.
They are recruiting people who don’t attain education because they are gullible, they
can easily be deceive they said. In using social media we need to think before we
click/decide something because we don’t know what will happen if we decide without
thinking. Terrorist may use internet not only for propaganda but also to get funds to
those people they scam, for them to have money to buy weapons and other needs. It
is good to know that authority has also reached the internet; they foresee this so
Anti-Cybercrime Group happened.

Fifth, what is the role of youth in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism? In
my opinion the role of the youth is to help through social media, creating awareness,
participating in the advocacies of the government. We can help in our own simple
ways like by being a good citizen, following the rules, following the laws. Standing up
when there is something wrong, support our suspicion with evidences. The youths
tend to act by impulse so we need to be careful like reading between the lines. Use
the social media wisely but don’t be afraid to be heard. I believe the government will
listen.
Sixth, what is the Role of Women in preventing and countering violent extremism?
As we all know women has certain power, they have deeper understanding to some
situations. They are the balance that we need.

Seventh is the University counter-radicalization. We are all aware of the “Kabataan

ang pag-asa ng bayan.” So it is really much appreciated that the program starts
here. I mean we really need to inform the youth how serious this issue is. It might be
a big help, a big game changer as I said that we can help in our own little ways.
Spreading awareness on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism has
enlightened my knowledge, and I do hope that the institution will create more
programs like this to inform us.