CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Background of the Study

In recent years, the global media made the world aware of the new and

different forms of violent extremism that have massively taken the lives of

many innocent people in all walks of life. The extremists’ restlessly created

havoc and violence could either be based on religious, ethnic or political

ideologies that could venerate the superiority of the extremists’ particular

group.

News in different forms of media all over the world contained the

concerns of the growing influence of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria).

ISI’s propagation has created serious concern among governments in East

Asia over the possibility of ISIS establishing a foothold by linking with local

extremist organizations in areas affected by ethnic conflicts. Of particular

concern is the radicalization of conflict-affected communities in Myanmar,

Southern Thailand, and Southern Philippines (Conference on the prevention

of violent extremism in Southeast Asia, September 22-23, 2017).

The recent attacks in Marawi put the Philippine government in the

global limelight. The havoc brought by the Marawi siege led the Duterte

administration to strengthen the agenda on anti-terrorism focusing on

protecting the youth as fragile and vulnerable targets of recruitments of the

leftists.

Accordizng to Bondoc (GMA News Online, November 26, 2017),

“terrorism has become one of the main focus of the Duterte administration

following the siege of the Maute group in Marawi City last May, which
prompted the declaration of martial law in Mindanao. At the height of the

crisis, the military said the Maute group had resorted to using child warriors to

slow down government troops advancing to its main positions in the war-torn

city. Duterte declared in October that Marawi City has been freed from the

local terrorists, but has yet to lift martial law in the southern region”.

What is alarming is that the extremists now engage the youth to

become part and some are forerunners of creating bringing violence in

selected areas just to show that they can dominate. Way back 2013, it was

reported that there are rebel surrenderees who were recruited in their teens.

In the news by Manila Times (July 27, 2013) four NPA rebels, who were

recruited in their teens, surrendered to the 43rd CMO Company led by Lt.

Leah Pura in Bukidnon province in northern Mindanao. Cruz said Pura

facilitated the surrender of the rebels – DigoAntian, now 23; Jun- Jun Calimpit,

now 25; Robert 18; and Jhen, 15. He said Robert was recruited at age 16 and

Jhen when she was 13 years old.

The youth, which by legal definition comprises those who are 15 to 30

years old, comprises almost one-third of the country’s population. Given their

large share in the Filipino population, the youth increasingly play a large role

in the development of the Philippine society. Their attitudes, values, mind-set,

and priorities will determine the development of the country in the future. With

the crucial role the society has placed upon the youth, it is imperative to instill

a positive outlook upon today’s youth that will orient them towards

development (Voicemaster, July 29, 2003).

The task of nurturing the country’s future lies in the hands of the youth

just as what our hero Jose Rizal said that “the youth is the hope of the
fatherland”. Given today’s situation, the youth whose future is uncertain if

there is no proper nurturing and guidance may fall prey to the wrong

ideologies opened to them. The extremists and leftists never ran out of plans

in convincing the young ones to join their group. It is high time that those

youths in far flung areas and those in rural who are targets of rebel

recruitments should be empowered by making them aware of what are the

forms of violence extremism and how will it affect them, thus, this research

was done.

Conceptual Framework

This study adopted the Push and Pull factors that triggers violent

extremism. Violent extremism is said to result from processes ‘by which

people come to adopt beliefs that not only justify violence but compel it’ and,

later, ‘progress — or not — from thinking to action (Loesch, 2017).

The ideas of Lafree and Freilich as cited by Ekpon (2017), that Push

factors are the negative social, cultural, and political features of one’s societal

environment that aid in “pushing” vulnerable individuals and especially youth

onto the path of violent extremism.

Push factors are commonly seen as “underlying/root causes” such as

poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, injustice, and political/economical

marginalization.

On the other hand, pull factors are the positive characteristics and

benefits of an extremist organization that “pull” vulnerable youth to join. These

include the group’s ideology (e.g.: emphasis on changing one’s condition

through violence rather than “apathetic” and “passive” democratic means),

 strong bonds of brotherhood and sense of belonging, reputation building,

prospect of fame or glory, and other socialization benefits.

Literacy

Youth Empowerment

Influence Recruitment

Figure 1. Conceptual Diagram of the Study

The conceptual diagram of the study shows that in order to empower

the youth the three variables which are the literacy, influence, and recruitment

should be emphasized.

Educating the youth about violent extremism requires information

dissemination through talks, lectures, posters, and reading materials that

describe and discuss the signs, ideas, and consequences of extremism.

Influence came in the form of family, peers and groups who play

different roles in providing the youth the perspectives on peace, order, and

violence and support groups. Recruitment on the other hand are the ways in
which the rebels may lure the youth to join them. The youth should be aware

of these factors so that they may inform their parents or the authorities of any

unusual eventualities and individuals in their own.

Statement of the Problem

1. What is the awareness level on preventing and countering violent

extremism of the youth in Barangay Ma-ao Barrio Bago City Negros

Occidental in terms of:

a. literacy
b. Influence
c. Recruitment
2. What are the problems encountered in preventing and countering

violent extremism by the youth in Brgy. Ma-ao Barrio Bago City Negros

Occidental on the above cited variables?

3. What action Plan can be proposed to address the problem

encountered based on the result of the study?

Significance of the Study

The results of this study would benefit the following entities:

To the youth. The results of this study will provide the youth the

important insights of the possible signs that one will engage in radicalism.

Through this study they will be aware of the local authorities’ measure to

empower them so that they will not be victims of false promises of the rebels

to join them in their ideologies against the government.

To the parents/guardians. As persons who can provide guidance and

nurture, and in still values to the youth, the results of this study may provide

them clearer views as to their child/ children’s awareness of the signs of

violent extremisms. They can monitor the youth’s activities and in cases it may
deviate to what is in the norm they can seek help to the right authority for

help.

To the barangay officials. As the lawmakers and peacekeepers who

are in the grassroots level, they are in close contact to the local residents.

They have the important tasks to monitor youth activities in the locality. The

results of this study will provide them views as to the awareness of the youth

on the signs of those who are engaging in violence extremisms. In

coordination with the other local agencies, they can design and implement

programs to empower the youth so that they will not fall prey to the rebel

recruitment.

To the city officials. The results of this study can be used as their

basis in formulating local policies and ordinances to safeguard the youth

against rebel recruitment. The officials through their local chief executive can

call on the concern agencies to work together to empower the youth in the

localities for worthwhile activities.

To the PNP. As authorities of maintain the peace and safety in the

community, they can use the results of this study to further campaign on

awareness in the signs of radicalisms which may lead to violent extremisms.

They may conduct talks to the local residents to include the youth and

implement programs that could empower the youth to become more aware of

the consequences of violent extremisms.

To the academe. The academic authorities may include in their scholastic

activities the awareness of violent extremisms and how to empower the youth

so that they will not become easily convinced of indoctrinations of the rebels.
 To the future researchers. The results of this study and the literature

cited can be used for parallel study of the same topic. Variables can be added

to further enhance the purpose of this study.

Scope and Limitations

This study used the descriptive method of research in finding out the

extent of awareness as to: a. literacy b. influence c. recruitment on engaging

to radicalism which may lead to violent extremism the youth in Barangay Ma-

ao Barrio Bago City, Negros Occidental. Thirty one youths of said barangay

were the respondents of this study. . The variables were age, sex and

educational attainment.

Definition of Terms

The following terms were defined conceptually and operationally.

Literacy. Conceptually, the term refers to the knowledge that relates to

specified subject.

In this study, the term refers to the ability of the youth in Barangay Ma-

ao Barrio Bago City, Negros Occidental to understand violent extremism and

radicalization.

Influence. Conceptually, the term refers to cause someone to change

a behavior, belief, or opinion, or to cause something to be changed

(https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/influence).

In this study, the term refers to the influences which empowered the

youth against violent extremism.

 Recruitment. Conceptually, the term refers to the process of adding

new individuals to a population or subpopulation (https://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/recruitment).

In this study, the term refers to the recruitment of the New Peoples’ Army to

the youth in Barangay Ma-ao Barrio, Bago City, Negros Occidental.

In this study, the term refers to the sex of the respondents categorize as male

and female.

Societal. Conceptually, the term refers to noting or pertaining to large

social groups, or to their activities, customs, etc.(Dictionary.com, 2018).

The same definition is used in this study.

Violent Extremism. In this study , the term refers to the beliefs and

actions of people who support or use violence to achieve ideological, religious

or political goals.

Youth. In this study, this term refers to the respondents of this study

who are the youths residing in Barangay Ma-ao Barrio, Bago City, Negros

Occidental.

Youth empowerment. In this study the term refers to the process

whereby young people of Barangay Ma-aoBago City Negros occidental gain

the ability and authority to make informed decisions and implement change in

their own lives and the lives of other people to prevent and counter violent

extremism.
 CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter presents the literature and studies which have relevant to
the study.

Violent Extremisms

According to Ranstorp, Gustafsson, Hyllengren and Ahlin (2016),

preventing and countering violent extremism is not an issue for one single

agency or organization. Without having a multi-actor approach in responding

to the issues it will be more difficult to reach the target groups and individuals

of concern, and address the identified risk factors. Stakeholders can be

professionals from schools, youth centers, social services, community police,

sport clubs, political parties, and even health services, but also those who are

operating a hotline, personnel in exit programs and other first line

practitioners. Lessons learned from across different local programs within

cities in northern Europe show that “one organization should chair and

coordinate the process and have final responsibility over the program and

outcome.

These actors need to have situational awareness and knowledge about

the objectives of the strategy and action plan. Trust between all actors is key

for success; processes and decisions should be transparent. It is also

important to work-out legal limits and possibilities for information-sharing

between agencies. In addition, from a law enforcement and intelligence

perspective, trust is needed in order to get flow of police intelligence and

information on delinquency and potential criminal behavior. Since there is a

need for a multi-actor approach the comprehensive framework of actions

needs to be coordinated.

There are some recommendations from research, institutions and

organizations dealing with CVE/PVE (Preventing Violent Extremism) and

counterterrorism. Regarding the development of community-oriented

approaches to counterterrorism, a report from OSCE26 highlights the

following potential benefits: Anchoring policing into respect for human rights

and the rule of law; Improving public perceptions of, and interaction with, the

police;Improving communication with the public on counterterrorism;

Increasing public vigilance and resilience; Enhancing police understanding of

communities as a basis to better engage and co-operate with them; Helping

to identify and address community safety issues and grievances; Facilitating

timely identification and referral of critical situations; and Improving relations

between the police and individuals and groups that have been hard to reach

or not yet engaged with.

According to the United Nations Development Programme (2016), in

recent years, the world has witnessed a new wave of violent extremism that

has taken the lives of many innocent people of different faiths, races and

nationalities. Since the beginning of the 21st century there has been more

than a nine-fold increase in the number of deaths from violent extremism and

terrorism, from 3,329 in 2000 to 32,685 in 2014.

 There is a decline in 2015, but with 29,376 deaths it was still the

second deadliest year on record. OECD countries however saw an increase

in terrorist related deaths from 77 in 2014 to 577 in 2015. 2015 was also the

deadliest year for the Taliban in Afghanistan (both terrorist deaths and battle

field deaths).

Five countries — Iraq, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Syria -

accounted for 72 per cent of the lives lost in 2015. But violent extremism is

spreading: the number of countries experiencing more than 500 deaths has

increased from 5 to 11 during 2014, a 120 per cent increase from 2013.

The six new countries with over 500 deaths are Somalia, Ukraine,

Yemen, Central African Republic, South Sudan and Cameroon.4 Globally, the

list of attacks from violent extremists is increasing. But while numerous events

captured international attention, most of the daily victims of violent extremism

– in countries in the Arab States, Africa, Central Europe and Asia – stay

unnoticed.

All these actions were inspired by ideologies varying from religious

fundamentalism to separatism xenophobia and radical nationalism. In

essence, extremist ideologies glorify the supremacy of a particular group,

whether based on religion, race, citizenship, class or conviction, and thus

oppose the idea of a more open and inclusive society.

Radicalization, an important precursor to violent extremism, is also on

the rise globally. Radicalization impacts different age categories (although

youth are more involved than others), different faiths, the educated as well as

the non-educated, the employed and the unemployed, and men as well as

women (although more men are involved than women). The more recent
radicalization of American and European citizens has contributed to an

increased global coverage of the debate on the prevention of violent

extremism (PVE).

Conflicts in Africa, the Arab States and Western Asia as well as the

impact of climate change and natural disasters fuel the waves of refugees and

migrants who seek asylum or better livelihood opportunities in neighbouring

countries, Europe or the United States.

Ten of the eleven countries with more than 500 deaths from violent

extremism in 2014 also had the highest levels of refugees and internally

displaced people (IDPs) in the world. In 2014, the five countries with the

highest levels of terrorist/violent extremist attacks generated over 16 million

refugees and IDPs. The unprecedented number of displaced people poses a

variety of challenges. The massive influx of foreigners spurs fears that are

exploited by extreme right-wing political parties that call for the protection of

national borders. There is also a risk that radicalization among refugees and

migrants could rise if their aspirations for a better life end in poverty or

stigmatization.

It is therefore important for both host communities and refugee and

migrant populations to work towards integration.

Analysts agree that lasting peace and sustainable development are

contingent on the peaceful and inclusive co-existence between groups. A

return to divisive politics (us vs. them) will only lead to more conflicts. Different

faiths, political parties, human-rights defenders, media, educational

institutions and others need to promote tolerance and respect for diversity (in

political opinion, in faith, in lifestyle, in social behavior).

 Future and current political settlements therefore need to adjust

institutions and processes so that they can promote the peaceful governance

of increasingly heterogeneous societies.

Many recent societal conflicts are interlinked and point to two distinct but

related challenges for global, regional, national and local governance: the rise

of violent extremism and its spread across national borders; and the

governance of increasingly diverse, multi-cultural societies.

Violent extremism is not a new phenomenon and is not associated only

with radical religious beliefs. 1.5 million Cambodians were killed as a result of

Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge’s brutal, radical policies to purify the country

and establish a communist peasant society. The origin of World War II was

Nazism, a violent totalitarian ideology that crossed national borders and took

the lives of millions of civilians around the world.

Ethnically motivated violence - even between communities practicing

the same religion - has claimed millions of lives (e.g. most recently in Rwanda

and Burundi). But new today are four important developments: a) The

globalization of violent extremism or the cross-border nature of a group's

reach, including their span of recruitment and operations, which can be sub-

regional, regional and for some groups even global. b) The ability to use

modern communication technology (social media in particular) in addition to

the more traditional networks (universities, religious communities, social

groups) ideologically to seduce groups and individuals into carrying out acts of

violent extremism across widely dispersed territories. c) The level of

unpredictability of violent extremist attacks, due to the random selection of

targets (from a girls’ school to a concert, a clinic, or an office party) and the
fact that a number of violent extremists commit in advance to die while

perpetrating their random killings. d) An unprecedented access to lethal

weapons including devices that can inflict mass destruction.

Despite important differences in ideology, composition, and targets,

groups and individuals practicing violent extremism also share a number of

characteristics: a) A deliberate targeting—with the objective of inflicting

harm–of civilians, both individuals and communities, based on their identity; b)

A lack of tolerance for multiple narratives that challenge their fundamentalist

belief system; c) A related and violent disregard for civic discourse, culture,

scientific or rational thought, human rights, due process, and for the traditional

and modern embodiments of law and authority; d) A reference to symbols,

whether religious (Sharia law, the Bible) or other (e.g. the Swastika). e)

In some cases, a rejection of the nation - state or at least of the

existing boundaries; In other cases a glorification of the nation - state linked

to a rhetoric of supremacy of one people/ class over others (this was the case

of the Nazis, the Pol Pot regime, the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK)). g)

The statement of individual or group objectives in nihilistic, millenarian, or

apocalyptic terms, rather than as realizable political objectives (albeit with the

caveat that for many leaders of violent extremist groups, these lofty

statements often disguise more practical aspirations for power or territorial

control). h) The systematic discrimination and abuse of women and their

subordination through rape, enslavement, abduction, denial of education,

forced marriage, sexual trafficking, which has been part of the ideology or

practice of several violent extremist groups.

Youth Engagement in Countering Extremisms

 The international communities had taken several steps to engage and

empower the youth as they are the vulnerable targets of recruitment for

violent extremisms. There are conferences that discussed important

measures to be taken to counter this social menace.

Notably, the conference in Vienna last May 2017 discussed that young

people are most vulnerable to terrorist radicalization and greater efforts

should be made to prevent youth from being misled by violent extremists as

expressed by OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Austria’s Foreign Minister

Sebastian Kurz today during the opening of the 2017 OSCE-wide Counter-

Terrorism Conference. Ther conference focussed on the theme of violent

extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (VERLT). The activity

brought together more than 500 high-level participants including Austria’s

Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka, practitioners, academics and civil society

representatives from across the OSCE region.

Over the course of two days, the conference participants focused on

the national experiences and international co-operation in countering

terrorism, engaging and empowering youth in preventing and countering

VERLT, good practices regarding rehabilitation and reintegration, and the

prevention of VERLT.

The conference placed a strong emphasis on engaging youth and will

provide a platform for youth representatives to present their recommendations

to policy-makers. The recommendations were compiled over the past year

during workshops on youth and the prevention of violent extremism in

Western Europe, the Black Sea region, South-Eastern Europe and Central

Asia, organized by the OSCE Chairmanship under the umbrella of the

OSCE’s United in Countering Violent Extremism campaign (Organization for

Security and Co-operation in Europe, 2017).

Another conference that stressed the importance of youth engagement

was held in Vienna. The conference aimed at preventing and responding to

the terrorist radicalization of youth north and south of the Mediterranean was

in focus of the OSCE Mediterranean Contact Group.

Fadwa Al Ahmadi, a youth activist from Tunisia, stressed the need to

create spaces for youth to express themselves: He said that youth

empowerment is crucial in preventing violent extremism in North Africa. There

must be help for them to be heard.

On the other hand, French filmmaker FabienneServan Schreiber, who

worked on creating counter-narratives to radicalization in film, stressed the

importance of working with parents affected by violent extremism and sharing

their stories: He said that parents are on the frontlines and must be at the

centre of the fight against violent extremism and radicalization leading to

terrorism (Empowerment of youth crucial in preventing violent extremism,

conclude participants at OSCE meeting in Vienna, 2016).

In the various meetings which intends to help the youth to become more

aware and empowered in encountering violent extremisms, the authorities all

agreed that information regarding extremisms should be supplemented with

worthwhile activities that could strengthen values of the youth and become

more aware of their environment and be more responsible.

Fellow ASEAN countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia

have been at the forefront of initiatives to counter and prevent extremism, as

their own citizens have been targeted for recruitment by global extremist

groups.

While it can be argued that the drivers of violent extremism differ

across individuals, communities, and regions, there are commonalities in the

ideologies and narratives used by terrorist groups. The Philippine

government’s initiatives to curb violent extremism have thus far been aligned

with counter-insurgency strategies. While the use of force and law

enforcement measures remain key strategies in countering terrorism, these

are still insufficient on their own. A more sustainable, multi-level, and inclusive

approach is needed to address this transnational problem, which thus

necessitates the participation of civil society.

Muslim radicalization in the Philippines has evolved over the years, and

is concentrated in the Bangsamoro areas. For the Moro National Liberation

Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), radicalization was

bolstered by the belief that the Muslim sultanates of Mindanao were sovereign

states, illegally annexed to the Philippine Republic when the United States

declared the country’s independence in 1946.

The Philippine Government has implemented peace talks with both

MNLF and MILF, wherein both have accepted genuine autonomy in lieu of

independence. Meanwhile, extremist groups such as the Bangsamoro Islamic

Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the KhilafahIslamiyah Movement, Abu Sayyaf

Group (ASG) believe that Islam cannot flourish under a secular government,

especially in Catholic-dominated Philippines.

 The founders of the ASG had advocated for the establishment of an

Islamic State and consider the Philippine government as a neo-colonial power

occupying the ancestral lands of Muslim communities.

The Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) proposes to jointly

organize a conference to address the challenges of the expanding influence

of violent extremism in Southeast Asia.

The proposed initiative has the support of the Presidential Peace

Adviser and National Security Adviser. It is in line with the Philippine

Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2017 as it will cover one of the six thematic

priorities of the Philippine chairmanship, which is Peace and Stability in the

Region. The newly organized ASEAN Society-Philippines, spearheaded by

former Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert, will be a co-organizer.

Building upon on past initiatives of PCID such as the 2015 conference

on radicalization in South East Asia co-organized with the S. Rajaratnam

School of International Studies (RSIS),the University of the Philippines and

the Mindanao State University, the conference aims: To encourage the

development of appropriate policies and standards, and adoption of good

policies for action plans at national and regional levels; To prevent violent

extremism in ASEAN member states by strengthening local actors, particularly

the women and the youth; To engage local communities as critical partners in

rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives, and monitoring and peace-building

efforts; To address the specific societal dynamics and drivers of radicalization

to violence, and discuss means to counter ideology, messaging and

recruitment methods that extremist groups and propagandists employ to

attract new recruits and incite violence; To identify sustainable and proactive
efforts for preventing support for violent extremism in areas where there is an

emerging threat; and To promote dialogue and discourse among political

leaders, government officials, security analysts, peace advocates, civil society,

academe, religious leaders, business leaders, and media, with particular

attention to women and youth. This should include representatives of ASEAN

member states and partners from Mindanao’s conflict-affected communities

(Conference on the prevention of violent extremism in Southeast Asia, 2017).

Recruitment of Youth for Extremisms

The following literature were taken from the national dailies that

contained reports of New People’s Army’s recruitment among the Filipino

youth.

The Manila Times issue dated July 27, 2013 stated that the military

has condemned the continued recruitment of minors as fighters by the

communist rebel group New People’s Army (NPA). Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier

Cruz III, chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the NPA has been

arming young recruits and forcing them to fight security forces.

According to Cruz 2015 recruiting youths as combatants violates the

Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International

Humanitarian Law. Exploiting the youth’s innocence to become criminals is

even tantamount to violation of RA 7610 which provides children with special

protection against exploitation. The Comprehensive Agreement on Respect

for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law is the first substantive

agreement by the Philippines and the National Democratic Front, the political

wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, signed in 1998 in The Hague.
Cruz said many of the NPA rebels who surrendered to the military were

teenagers. He further said to give the youth the chance to grow up while

peacefully learning from their youthful experiences and contributing in their

own unique ways, as only the young can do, in building a peaceful and

progressive Philippines. He urged rebels to return to the fold of the law and

take advantage of the government’s livelihood program.

According to Iñigo (2017), the Philippine Army’s 17th Infantry Battalion

(17IB) revealed yesterday that while the Communist Party of the Philippines

(CPP) is engaged in negotiations with the government to end its 49-year

insurgency, massive recruitment of young and even underaged fighters is

being undertaken by the New People’s Army (NPA).

A source in the 17IB said there are 89 barangays in the provinces of Cagayan

and Apayao where the NPA has been recruiting teenagers to train and arm.

“PinakamaramiangsabayanngSto. Niño (The biggest number they’ve recruited

is in the town of Sto. Niño).

Several overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Cagayan told The Manila

Bulletin that rebels have knocked on their doors, asking to be fed and be

given assistance. NPA rebels have infiltrated schools where they recruit the

youth, the source added.

In this regard, the 17IB has intensified its Youth Leadership Summit

(YLS) in Cagayan and Apayao provinces, targeting areas where NPAs have

been recruiting fighters.

Baylosis. said that recently, the training was conducted in the municipality of

Rizal in Cagayan, drawing some 100 students from Saint Francis Academy,

and in Conner, Apayao, where around 70 students from different secondary

schools participated and to instill awareness among them to know these

unscrupulous groups in order to save them from NPA recruitment scheme.

According to the online article of Santiago (2017), another young life

was lost recently when one of the NPA recruit, a University of the Philippines

student, was killed an encounter with government troops in Nasugbu,

Batangas after they were intercepted while on their way to conduct terrorist

activities.

The presence of the terrorist was tipped off by concerned citizens in

the area and was later confirmed by intercepting troops who were fired upon

by the group while onboard a jeepney and a closed van heading toward

Tagaytay City.

The NPAs and their community fronts have been actively recruiting

young men and women to join their ranks, initially using them to join mass

actions and violent rallies, and later sending them to their mountain/jungle

lairs to train as fighters of the BagongHukbong Bayan, in the guise of

“community immersions”.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has called on the

community to help the government stop this recruitment by the NPAs and

spare the youth, the future of our land, to be victims of abuse by the

Communist Party of the Philippines in their desire to impose their crooked

ways.

Synthesis and Gaps

The literature included in this study provided insights that the youths

being the vulnerable part of the society became the prime target of the rebels

for recruitments. Radicalisms could come in any forms and could happen in
any place at any time. There are manifestations that when observed could be

signs that help authorities identify if the youth has engaged in radicalisms.

These signs if not properly given due attention could lead to violent

extremisms. The literature also laid down the various plans and implemented

programs of governmental agencies to include civic and non-governmental

organizations to empower the youth so that they will not be the easy targets of

extremisms.

CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the research design, the participants, and the

measures that were used in this study.

Research Design

This study employed the descriptive research design. Descriptive

research is a means of obtaining information concerning the current status of

an existing phenomena (Shuttleworth, 2013). To describe the characteristics

or behaviour of a particular population in a systematic and accurate fashion,

descriptive research utilizes questionnaires and interviews to collect

information about people’s attitudes, beliefs, feelings, behaviors, and lifestyles

(Leary, 2010).

Locale of the Study

This study was conducted in Barangay Ma-ao Barrio Bago City Negros

Occidental. Barangay Ma-ao is situated on the eastern part of Bago City

comprising a total land area of 3,938.990 hectares. Its boundary on the south

is the Maragandang River, from there westward is barangay Atipuluan with

Bago River dividing it. The Northern boundary is Brgy. Bacong and on the

east is Brgy. Mailum.Ma-ao Barrio has 37 Puroks with 3,635 households and

has a projected population of 17,010 as of 2012.

The topography of Ma-ao is characterized by wide plains,

BagoMaragandang and Ma-ao rivers mass drain the lowlands and is the

mainstream of prolific rice and sugarcane production. Serving as natural

drainage outlets include, the creeks of Bantolina, Alak, Pandan and Hinaluan.

Around 1636.5443 hectares of irrigable land are planted with rice,

sugarcane, abacca and fruit trees.

Barangay Ma-ao remains basically agricultural but there has been an

effort to generate small cottage industries for local consumption such as

basket, homemade pastries, salted eggs and handicrafts. Others engage in

small time bussines as sari-sari stores, refreshment, parlors,

vulcanizing/welding shops, rice mills, drug stores, bakery, dress shops and

buy and sell trades. Concrete-paved asphalted roads links Brgy. Ma-ao to the

City proper with a distance of 21.70 kilometers (Bago City,

http://www.bagocity.gov.ph/about-bago-city/barangays/barangay-ma-ao/).

Sources of the Study

 The researcher used the convenience sampling in determining the

respondents of the study. Fifty respondents from Barangay Ma-ao Barrio who

are present at the time when the survey was conducted became the actual

respondents.

Table 1.Sources of Study

Respondents N
Youth/ Parents and Guardians 31
Barangay Officials 9
Police Officers 10
Total 50

Table 1 showed the actual respondents of this study. Thirty-one (31)

respondents are from the youth/ parents and guardians, nine (9) from the

barangay officials of Brgy, Ma-ao Barrio, and ten (10) police officers from the

Philippine National Police Office (PNP) Ma-ao Barrio Headquarters.

Convenience sampling (also known as availability sampling) is a

specific type of non-probability sampling method that relies on data collection

from population members who are conveniently available to participate in

study. Facebook polls or questions can be mentioned as a popular example

for convenience sampling.

Convenience sampling is a type of sampling where the first available

primary data source will be used for the research without additional

requirements. In other words, this sampling method involves getting

participants wherever you can find them and typically wherever is convenient.

In convenience sampling no inclusion criteria identified prior to the selection of

subjects. All subjects are invited to participate (Research Methodology,

2012).

Table 2. Profile of the Respondents when grouped as to Age

 Age (in years) Frequency, f Percent, %
14 -20 yrs. old 31 62
21 – 30 years old 7 14
31 years old and above 12 24
Total 50 100

Table 2 shows the profile of the respondents when they are grouped as

to age. Thirty-one are 14-20 years old, seven are 21 – 30 years old, and

twelve are 31 years old and above.

Table 3. Profile of the Respondents when grouped as to gender

Gender Frequency, f Percent, %
Male 32 64
Female 18 36
Total 50 100

Table 1.3 shows the gender of the respondents when grouped as to sex.

Majority or 64% are males while 36% are females.

Table 4 . Profile of the Respondents when grouped as to

Educational Attainment
Educational Attainment Frequency, f Percent, %

High School Level/Graduate 28 56

College Level/Graduate 22 44

Total 50 100
 Table 4 shows the profile of the respondents when they are grouped as

to their educational attainment. Twenty-eight (56%) belong to the high school

level/ graduate while twenty-two (44%) are college level/graduate

Data Gathering Instruments

This study used a self-made questionnaire as instrument of this study.

Part I of the questionnaire dealt with the demographic profile of the

participants as to age, gender , and educational attainment.

Part II of the instrument contained questions that aimed to find out the extent

of awareness of the youth on the signs of radicalism.

For problem 1, to measure the level of awareness of the youth/ parents

and guardians and for problem 2 which focused on the problems of the youth

the following scale was used:

the five-point Likert scale was used in the instrument:

Numerical Scale Interpretation

1 Not Aware
2 Moderately Aware
3 Aware
4 Strongly Aware
5 Fully Aware

The mean responses were interpreted as follows:

Mean Response Scale Mean Interpretation

1.00 – 1.79 Not Aware
1.80 – 2.59 Moderately Aware
2.60 – 3.39 Aware
3.40 – 4.19 Strongly Aware
4.20 – 5.00 Fully Aware

Part III. of the instrument are the summary of the problems and gaps

encountered by the respondents on the the area of the study.

 The validity of the instrument was established through the help of the

three experts in the field of criminology. They served as jury in validating the

questionnaire using the Good and Scates Questionnaire Validation form.

The reliability of the instrument was established by conducting a one

shot test to 25 youths in Barangay Don Jorge Araneta, Bago City. (Cronbach’s

Alpha - is a measure of internal consistency that is how closely related to a

set of items as group) of the test was used to establish the reliability of the

survey instrument. The result generated a 0.975 Cronbach’s Alpha, which

showed that the instrument is reliable and ready to be administered.

Data Gathering Procedures

The researcher submitted the research instrument to the three experts

for validation purposes. The validated questionnaire was tested for its

reliability. After its reliability was established, the researcher requested the

NPC Director to sign letters to be sent to the chief-of-police of Bago City and

Barangay Captain of Brgy. Ma-ao Barrio, Bago City, Negros Occidental.

Data Analysis

To determine the results the following statistical tools were used:

1. Frequency distribution was used for the profile of the

respondents. Hosch (2014) defined frequency distribution as a

set of data organized to show how many times an observed

event had occurred.

2. The mean was used to answer the descriptive questions.
 CHAPTER 4

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This chapter presents the result of the study.

Table 5 presents the result for the awareness of the youth in Barangay

Ma-ao on extremisms. In the variable Education, the highest mean score is

4.40 interpreted as strongly Aware from the responses of the youth in the item

“There are leaflets, posters, and reading materials posted and distributed in

the barangay posting area that promote awareness on violent extremism.

Table 5. Awareness of the youth on preventing and countering

violent extremism of Barangay Ma-ao Barrio, Bago City, Negros
Occidental in terms of literacy.
 Indicators FA SA A MA NA Weighted Verbal
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1) mean Interpretatio
n

1. The leaflets, posters, and

reading materials posted and
distributed in the barangay
Strongly
posting area that promote
awareness on violent 27 4 19 0 0 4.40 Aware
extremism are hard to
understand and are not clear.

2. The youths in the barangay

are not given the chance to
attend symposiums and
Strongly
lectures in the barangay that
promote awareness on the 28 4 18 0 0 4.48 Aware
causes and effects of violent
extremism.

3. Good values such as

respect, love for freedom,
valuing others, and the
importance of having a Strongly
28 14 8 0 0 4,68
peaceful community should Aware
not be taught in schools as
these are the responsibilities
of the parents only.

In the variable Influence, the highest mean score is 5.00 interpreted as

strongly aware from the responses of the youth in the item “Parents are

models of good values and should taught their teenage children to become

more responsible by being respectful, value freedom and camaraderie on

their fellow teenagers and importantly they should not engage in violent

activities.”

Table 6. Awareness of the youth on preventing and countering

violent extremism of Barangay Ma-ao Barrio, Bago City, Negros
Occidental in terms of influence.
 Indicators FA SA A DA NA Weighed Verbal
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1) Mean Interpretation

1. Respectfulness, value of 43 7 0 0 0 5.00

freedom and camaraderie on
their fellow teenagers and
importantly teenagers should not Strongly
engage in violent activities are Aware
the least concerns of the parents
and should not be given due
attention.

2. Friendship or the “barkadas”

could give the youth the needed 32 9 9 0 0 4.87
attention, belongingness and
acceptance and these can be Strongly
achieved if the youth joins Aware
groups engaged in rebellious
activities and extremism to show
strength and power.

3. Youth leaders do not have 26 6 18 0 0 4.13

programs for the youth members
Strongly
that would encourage them to
help maintain the peacefulness Aware
of the barangay.

In the variable Recruitment, the highest mean score is 4.30 interpreted

as strongly aware from the responses of the youth in the item “The youths in

the barangay are aware that there are rebellious groups who joins the in the

small gatherings of the teenagers and talks against the government and uses

poverty to convinced them to join the New People’s Army movement.”

Table 7. Awareness of the youth on preventing and countering

violent extremism of Barangay Ma-ao Barrio, Bago City, Negros
Occidental in terms of recruitment.
 Indicators FA SA A MA NA Weighted Verbal
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1) Mean Interpretation

1. The youths in the barangay

are not fully aware that there
are rebellious groups who
befriend them and intend to 26 10 14 0 0 4.30
convince them to join protests Strongly Aware
against the government and
use poverty to convinced
them to join the New People’s
Army movement

2. The youth in the barangay

does not know and was not
given the information that
there are members of the 19 5 26 0 0 4.13
New People’s Army who
Strongly Aware
would promise them a sum of
money if they will join the
movement.

3. The youth in the barangay

can be easily convinced of the 17 7 26 0 0 4.13
promises of belongingness
Strongly Aware
and sense of having “power”
in joining the New People’s
Army movement.

In disseminating information, the use of reading materials are effective

visual resources that can help educate the youth on the activities, signs of

extremism, the dangers of violent extremism and how to alert the authorities

for their awareness.

Reading and visual resources posted in strategic areas which can be

easily accessed by the public especially the youth are a must so that this can

promote awareness among them. Massive information dissemination is an

important activity that should be given due attention in the campaign again st

violent extremism.

It is by educating the youth that they gain wider perspectives of the

importance of peace and living in a violent free community. It is also important

to let them know that they have an important role to play in making the

community a violent-free place to live and grow.

The role of the parents in instilling values to the youth are also

important in the youth’s perception of the so called discipline in achieving

peace and harmony in the place.

The results of this study may find support from French filmmaker

FabienneServan Schreiber, who worked on creating counter-narratives to

radicalization in film, stressed the importance of working with parents affected

by violent extremism and sharing their stories: He said that parents are on the

frontlines and must be at the centre of the fight against violent extremism and

radicalization leading to terrorism (Empowerment of youth crucial in

preventing violent extremism, conclude participants at OSCE meeting in

Vienna, 2016)

Table 8 shows the result for the problems encountered by the youth of

Brgy. Ma-ao Barrio in Bago City. In the variable literacy, the highest mean

score is 4.50 interpreted as “strongly aware” from the responses of the youth

and the police officers in the item “The leaflets, posters, and reading materials

posted and distributed in the barangay posting area that promote awareness

on violent extremism are hard to understand and are not clear.”

Table 8. Problems encountered by the youth on preventing and

countering violent extremism of Barangay Ma-ao Barrio, Bago City,
Negros Occidental in terms of literacy.
 In the variable Influence, the highest mean scores is 4.40 interpreted

as “strongly aware” from the responses of the youth in the items

“Respectfulness, value of freedom and camaraderie on their fellow teenagers

and importantly teenagers should not engage in violent activities are the least

concerns of the parents and should not be given due attention.” and
Indicators FA SA A MA NA Weighted Verbal
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1) Mean Interpretation

1. The youths in the barangay

are not fully aware that there
Sare rebellious groups who
befriend them and intend to 24 26 0 0 0 4.50 Strongly
convince them to join protests
against the government and Aware
use poverty to convinced
them to join the New People’s
Army movement

2. The youth in the barangay

does not know and was not
given the information that
there are members of the 14 36 0 0 0 4.32 Strongly
New People’s Army who Aware
would promise them a sum of
money if they will join the
movement.

3. The youth in the barangay

can be easily convinced of
the promises of 14 36 0 0 0 4.23 Strongly
belongingness and sense of
having “power” in joining the Aware
New People’s Army
movement.

“Friendship or the “barkadas” could give the youth the needed attention,

belongingness and acceptance and these can be achieved if the youth joins
groups engaged in rebellious activities and extremism to show strength and

power.”

Table 9. Problems encountered by the youth on preventing and

countering violent extremism of Barangay Ma-ao Barrio, Bago City,
Negros Occidental in terms of influence.

Indicators FA SA A MA NA Weighted Verbal

(5) (4) (3) (2) (1) Mean Interpretatio
n

1. The youths in the barangay

are not fully aware that there
are rebellious groups who
befriend them and intend to
convince them to join protests
against the government and 31 19 0 0 0 4.50 Strongly
use poverty to convince them to Aware
join the New People’s Army
movement.

2. The youth in the barangay

does not know and was not
given the information that there
are members of the New
26 24 0 0 0 4.32 Strongly
People’s Army who would
promise them a sum of money Aware
if they will join the movement.

3. The youth in the barangay

can be easily convinced of the
promises of belongingness and
sense of having “power” in 20 30 0 0 0 4.23 Strongly
joining the New People’s Army Aware
movement. \.

In the variable Recruitment, the highest mean scores is 4.50

interpreted as “Moderate aware” from the responses of the barangay officials

in the item “The youth in the barangay does not know and was not given the

information that there are members of the New People’s Army who would
promise them a sum of money if they will join the movement.” and both from

the responses of the barangay officials and the youth in the item “The youth in

the barangay can be easily convinced of the promises of belongingness and

sense of having “power” in joining the New People’s Army movement.”

Table 10. Problems encountered by the youth on preventing and

countering violent extremism of Barangay Ma-ao Barrio, Bago City,
Negros Occidental in terms of recruitment.

Indicators FA SA A MA NA Weighted Verbal

(5) (4) (3) (2) (1) Mean Interpretation
1. The youths in the barangay
are not fully aware that there
are rebellious groups who
8 42 0 0 0 4.50
befriend them and intend to
Strongly
convince them to join protests
against the government and Aware
use poverty to convince them
to join the New People’s Army
movement.

2. The youth in the barangay

does not know and was not
given the information that 9 41 0 0 0 4.13
there are members of the Strongly
New People’s Army who Aware
would promise them a sum of
money if they will join the
movement.
3. The youth in the barangay
can be easily convinced of
the promises of 24 26 0 0 0 4.52 Strongly
belongingness and sense of
having “power” in joining the Aware
New People’s Army
movement.

Educating the youth to become aware on the consequences of

extremisms is one way of empowering them. It should be emphasized to them

that they have an important role in maintaining the peace and order in the

community.

Family especially the influence of the parents are important in shaping

in the values and perception of the youth towards life. There’s is the role of

guidance to their teenage children. Strong values instilled to the youth could

help them discerning what is right from wrong and what behaviours are

believed to deviate from the norms of the society.

This study may find support from Ranstorp, Gustafsson, Hyllengren

and Ahlin (2016), preventing and countering violent extremism is not an issue

for one single agency or organization. Without having a multi-actor approach

in responding to the issues it will be more difficult to reach the target groups

and individuals of concern, and address the identified risk factors.

Stakeholders can be professionals from schools, youth centers, social

services, community police, sport clubs, political parties, and even health

services, but also those who are operating a hotline, personnel in exit

programs and other first line practitioners. Helping to identify and address

community safety issues and grievances; Facilitating timely identification and

referral of critical situations; and Improving relations between the police and

individuals and groups that have been hard to reach or not yet engaged with.

CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter presents the summary of the results, the conclusions

based on the results of the study and the recommendations.

Summary

Based on the findings of this study, the following summary is

presented:

1. In the awareness of the youth in extremism, in the variable education,

based from the responses the highest mean score obtained is in the use of

leaflets posters, and reading materials posted and distributed in the barangay

posting area that promote awareness on violent extremism. For the variable

influence, the highest mean score base on the responses of the youth is in the
statement that Parents are models of good values and should taught their

teenage children to become more responsible by being respectful, value

freedom and camaraderie on their fellow teenagers and importantly they

should not engage in violent activities.

And in the variable recruitment, the highest mean score came from the

responses of the youth in the statement the youths in the barangay are aware

that there are rebellious groups who joins the in the small gatherings of the

teenagers and talks against the government and uses poverty to convinced

them to join the New People’s Army movement. All mean responses in the

three variables are interpreted as strongly agree.

2. In the problems awareness encountered by the youth of Brgy. Ma-ao Barrio

in Bago City in education, recruitment, and influence, The results showed that

in the variable education, base on the youth’s responses, they strongly

disagree that the leaflets, posters, and reading materials posted and

distributed in the barangay posting area that promote awareness on violent

extremism are hard to understand and are not clear. In the variable influence,

the highest mean score is obtained from the responses of the youth in the

statement respectfulness, value of freedom and camaraderie on their fellow

teenagers and importantly teenagers should not engage in violent activities

are the least concerns of the parents and should not be given due attention.

Conclusions

Based on the results the following are the conclusions.

1. The leaflets, posters, and reading materials posted and distributed in

the different barangay posting areas are means that promote

awareness on violent extremism which could be easily accessed by the

youth. Based on the results.

 2. Parent influence also plays a role in youth empowerment as base on

the results, parents are models of good values and should taught their

teenage children to become more responsible by being respectful,

value freedom and camaraderie on their fellow teenagers and

importantly they should not engage in violent activities.

3. The youth are aware that they are targets of recruitment by the rebels.

They are aware that the rebels are using poverty and anti-government

ideas in recruiting the youth to join their groups.

Recommendations

1. Worthwhile activities should be given to the youth that would focus

on widening their knowledge on the government’s programs about youth

enhancement and education. Likewise positive values, sense of responsibility,

and their role in maintaining the peace and order in their community should be

emphasized to them. Specifically the youth leaders they should be more

involved in the aim to educate further their fellow youth against radicalism and

violent extremisms.
2. The parents and the guardians had the most important roles in

shaping the minds and values of the youth. It is recommended that they

should be also given the right information on radicalism and violent

extremism, its causes and effects to their children. This can be done through

talks or giving of resource materials that will give them a wide idea on the

matter. The local officials with the help of the police authorities they can

conduct “pulong-pulongs” in the barangay level to reach out the parents.

3. It is recommended that the barangay barangay officials in

coordination with the local Philippine National Police Office (PNP) should set

time to give talks and lectures to the parents and adult members of the
community on the possible problems and causes of youth involvement in

violent extremisms. Not only this could desalinate the information but this is

also to educate them as members of the barangay where they reside they can

help in maintaining the peace and harmony of their place.

4. The city officials may use the result of this study as basis of forming

programs to educate further and disseminate effectively the information on

violent extremism among the youth. They can formulate policies and

ordinances that could help empower the youth not to involve in such activities.

Likewise they can also tap non-government organizations to help with the

programs on youth empowerment.

5. The PNP, through the police officers and officials may tap the

barangay sector, and local private sectors to collaborate efforts in empowering

the youth not be involved in radicalism and violent extremism. They can

design programs and activities to gather the youth and educate them on the

signs, causes and effects and violent extremism.

6. The academe could include in their curriculum the forms of violent

extremism, the causes why the youth is the sensitive target of recruitment, the

forms of recruitment. Through the professors and teachers they can better

explain and discuss the causes and what techniques are used by the rebels to

lure the youth in joining the group and cause to create violence in the

community

Action Plan

The recent Marawi siege and the nationwide news of NPA recruitment

of the youths especially the students had caused alarm to the government.

Policy makers and police forces are joining arms to combat this social

problem for the future of the youth is at stake. The peace loving public are
alarmed by the continuous recruitment by the terrorist group New People’s

Army and their community fronts of youths, in particular student, to join their

crumbling force.

The youth being the targets of the different forms of recruitment by the

rebels should be given the due attention to lead them to the right path in the

society. One sector alone could not create a deep impact in leading and

educating the youth against radicalism and violent extremism. Programs that

should be implemented should not be done on a one-time basis, rather there

should be a collaborative effort for its continuity and sustainability.

This proposed action plan program is designed to disseminate

information and educate not only the youth but all sectors in the grass roots

level.
 List of References

Bondoc, M. R. (November 26, 2017). DILG vows to protect Filipino youth

from falling into extremism. Retrieved from

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/634470/dilg-vows-to-protect-filipino-

youth-from-falling-into-extremism/story/

Conference on the prevention of violent extremism in Aoutheast Asia. (September 22-

23, 2017). Retrieved from http://www.pcid.com.ph/peacebuilding-and-the-prevention-of-

violent-extremism-in-south-east-asia/

Definition of Age. (Updated 2006)Handbook of Vital Statistics Systems

and Methods, Volume 1: Legal, Organisational and Technical Aspects, United Nations

Studies in Methods, Glossary, Series F, No. 35, United Nations, New York. Retrieved

from https://stats.oecd.org/glossary/detail.asp?ID=57

Definition of Educational Attainment. Glossary of statistical terms.

Retrieved from https://stats.oecd.org/glossary/search.asp

Definition of Youth Empowerment. Retrieved from

http://www.schoolmattazz.com/2017/02/youth-empowerment/

Definition of Sex. Retrieved from

http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/sexual_health/sh_definitions/en/.

Inigo, L. B. (April 24, 2017). NPA recruiting young fighters in Cagayan.

Retrieved from https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/24/npa-recruiting-young-

fighters-in-cagayan/

Jacinto. A. (July 27, 2013). NPA continues to recruit minors as

combatants: military. Manila Times. Retrieved from http://www.manilatimes.net/npa-

continues-to-recruit-minor-as-combatants-military/23498/

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. (May 23, 2017).

Engaging youth is crucial to efforts to countering violent extremism, says OSCE

Chairperson-in-Office Sebastian Kurz. Retrieved from

https://reliefweb.int/report/world/engaging-youth-crucial-efforts-countering-violent-

extremism-says-osce-chairperson

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. (June 14, 2016).

Empowerment of youth crucial in preventing violent extremism, conclude participants at

OSCE meeting in Vienna. Retrieved from https://www.osce.org/secretariat/246706.

Research Methodology (2012). Retrieved from https://research-

methodology.net/sampling-in-primary-data-collection/convenience-sampling/

Santiago, A. (December 2, 2017). Child abuse |npa continue recruiting

youth as cadres. Retrieved from https://dwdd.com.ph/2017/12/02/child-abuse-npa-

continue-recruiting-youth-as-cadres/.

United Nations Development Programme. (2016). Preventing violent

extremism through promoting inclusive development, tolerance and respect for diversity.

New York, NY 10017, USA. Retrieved from http://www.undp.org/

 Appendix A

Research Instrument

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT IN BRGY. MA-AO BARRIO, BAGO CITY, NEGROS

OCCIDENTAL IN PREVENTING AND COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM

Dear respondent:

This study aims to find out if the youths are aware of the signs of engaging to
radicalism. By knowing the extent of their awareness they can be empowered to help
counter the possible violent extremism which by now one of the social problems that
plague the Filipino society.

As the future of this country, the role of helping keeping the peace and order in
the community and in the country in general also lies in the hands of the youth. Young
as they are they should be made aware of the risks and the consequences of youth
violent extremism in the country. They are the vulnerable targets of recruitment to
become arms and instruments of violence and extremisms. Through this survey
instrument, the respondent’s awareness on the signs of engaging in extremisms can be
measured so that proper programs and prevention can be implemented.

Please spare a few moment to answer this instrument to provide the researcher
a better view of your awareness of the signs in engaging to extremisms. Please answer
honestly. Thank you very much.

Very truly yours,

PSI BONIFACIO C ARAL JR

Appendix B: Survey Questioner
Part I Profile
Name (optional): _______________________Gender: Male Female
Age: 14 – 20 years old 21 – 30 years old 31 years and above
Educational Attainment: Elementary level/graduate
High school level/graduate
College level/graduate

Part II. Please read the statements and reflect on your experience. Check the corresponding
column that best reflects your experience.
5 - Strongly agree 2 – Disagree
4 - Moderately agree 1 – Strongly disagree
3 - Agree
Indicator Statements 5 4 3 2 1
A. Education
1. There are leaflets, posters, and reading materials posted and
distributed in the barangay posting area that promote
awareness on violent extremism.
2. The youths in the barangay are convinced and encourage to
attend symposiums and lectures in the barangay on the causes
and effects of violent extremism.
3. In schools the youth are taught good values such as respect,
love for freedom, valuing others, and the importance of having a
peaceful community.
B. Influence
1, Parents are models of good values and should taught their
teenage children to become more responsible by being
respectful, value freedom and camaraderie on their fellow
teenagers and importantly they should not engage in violent
activities.
2. Peer pressure should not be the reason for a youth to join in
rebellious activities just to obtain group belongingness and
acceptance.
3. Youth leaders in the barangay should encourage the youth in
the local area to engage in worthwhile activities that would help
maintain the peacefulness of the barangay.
C. Recruitment
1. The youths in the barangay are aware that there are
rebellious groups who joins the in the small gatherings of the
teenagers and talks against the government and uses poverty to
convinced them to join the New People’s Army movement.
2. The youth in the barangay are aware that there are members
of the New People’s Army who would promise them a sum of
money if they will join the movement.
3. The youth in the barangay knows that the promises of
belongingness and sense of having “power” in joining the New
People’s Army movement. are false promises.
Part III. Problems encountered by the youth of Brgy. Ma-ao Barrio Bago City Negros
Occidental

Please check on the appropriate column for your responses.

5 - Strongly agree 2 – Disagree

4 - Moderately agree 1 – Strongly disagree
3 - Agree
Indicator Statements 5 4 3 2 1
A. Education
1. The leaflets, posters, and reading materials posted and
distributed in the barangay posting area that promote
awareness on violent extremism are hard to understand and are
not clear.
2. The youths in the barangay are not given the chance to
attend symposiums and lectures in the barangay that promote
awareness on the causes and effects of violent extremism.
3. Good values such as respect, love for freedom, valuing
others, and the importance of having a peaceful community
should not be taught in schools as these are the responsibilities
of the parents only.
B. Influence
1, Respectfulness, value of freedom and camaraderie on their
fellow teenagers and importantly teenagers should not engage
in violent activities are the least concerns of the parents and
should not be given due attention.
2. Friendship or the “barkadas” could give the youth the needed
attention, belongingness and acceptance and these can ne
achieved if the youth joins groups engaged in rebellious
activities and extremism to show strength and power.
3. Youth leaders do not have programs for the youth members
that would encourage them to help maintain the peacefulness of
the barangay.
C. Recruitment
1. The youths in the barangay are not fully aware that there are
rebellious groups who befriend them and intend to convince
them to join protests against the government and use poverty to
convinced them to join the New People’s Army movement.
2. The youth in the barangay does not know and was not given
the information that there are members of the New People’s
Army who would promise them a sum of money if they will join
the movement.
3. The youth in the barangay can be easily convinced of the
promises of belongingness and sense of having “power” in
joining the New People’s Army movement. \.
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

One of the researchers, PSINSP WILFREDO VERGARA GELONGO, was born

on October 12, 1973 in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental. He finished his
elementary education in Cabanbanan Elementary School and Secondary Education in
La Carlota City National High School. He obtained his Bachelor Science in Criminology
in La Carlota City College, La Carlota City Negros Occidental. He further completed his
Master Degree in Criminal Justice System in specialization in Criminology at Bago City
College, Bago City Negros Occidental.
PSINSP GELONGO, is a member of PNP-SAF Class – 1998 and SAF
Commando Course Class 19C-2000. After his training he was assigned in 2 nd Battalion
PNP-SAF in deferent company and places. He served eight years in SAF unit prior to
his re-assignment at Police Regional Office 6. Then in 2010, he entered the Police
Officer CORPS via Lateral entry class 2010. After his training, from (PSOBC) he was
assigned in Regional Public Safety Battalion as Platoon of 1 stManuever Platoon at
Escalante City, Negros Occidental. He is former Chief Police of Police Station 9,
Bacolod City Police Office in 2013. His last assignment before he joined schooling in
Public Safety Officers Advance Officer Course he is the Deputy of Chief Police in
Himamaylan City Police Station, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.
PINSP GELONGO, is married to MihlanieGelongo and blessed three children
namely WillanGelongo, Freda Faith Maris Gelongo and Wilfredo Gelongo Jr.
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

One of the researchers, PSINSP BONIFACIO CAMARINES ARAL JR, was born
on August 3, 1969 in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. He finished his elementary
education in Education Training Center School (ETCS) and Secondary Education in
Negros Occidental High School. He obtained his Bachelor Science in Criminology in
University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. He further
completed his Master Degree in Public Administration in Ifugao State University, Satilite
Campus, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
PSINSP ARAL entered the police service in the year 1996, and after his training,
he served for two years in the Regional Moblie Force and re- assigned to Negros
Occidental Police Provincial Office and served for more than one year and later re-
assigned to Talisay City Police Station (PNCO) .And in the year 2010, he luckily passed
the qualifying exam of lateral entrants and became a member of Lateral Entry Class
2010. After his training, he was assigned to Talisay City Police Station as Deputy Chief
of Police for more than four years and in the year 2016, he was re-assigned to E.B.
Magalona Municipal Police Station as Officer in-Charge and served for eighteen months
prior to his Public Safety Officer Advance Course.
PINSP ARAL, is married to ArnidaS.Aral and blessed withtwo (2)
children namely Neil Andrei S. Aral, and Julienne S. Aral.
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

One of the researcher, Frankie Abad Gatila, born on September 25, 1978 in the
municipality of Sibalom province of Antique. A Filipino citizen and a fourth son of
Orlando and Anita Gatila. He is married to Filanie Cordero Nano and blessed with two
(2) sons, Franklin Dominic Gatila( aged 4) and Pol Vincent Gatila (aged 2). The said
researcher completed the degree Bachelor of Science in Criminology at Baguio
Colleges Foundation currently the University of Cordillera in Baguio City in the year
1999 and earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration at the University of Antique
in the year 2015. The said researcher was entered in the police service on December
14, 2001 as Police Officer 1 at the PNP Special Action Force and Currently he is on his
17th year in the service at the PNP Organization with the rank of Police Senior Inspector
(PSI) and assigned at San Jose MPS, Antique Police Provincial Office, Police Regional
Office 6 and presently undergoing Public Safety Officer Advance Course at National
Police College, Camp General Mariano M Castaneda, Silang, Cavite. The said
researcher is especially dedicating his effort for this paper first and foremost to the
loving God who is the source of everything, next to his beloved family and love ones, to
be supportive mentors all throughout and of course to the readers of this paper.
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

One of the researchers, PSINSP WENNIE JUDILLA ANDICO, born on October

17, 1966 at Belison, Antique. He finished his elementary education at Belison
Elementary School, Belison, Antique and completed his Secondary Education in Belison
National School of the same town. He obtained his degree in Bachelor of Science in
Criminology at the University of Iloilo, Iloilo City.
He is a member of the PNP Class Siklab –batch 1995. After his training he was
assigned in different companies and other places in Negros Occidental and was
transferred to Antique Police Provincial Office Antique PPO 2008. In 2010 he was one of
the lucky applicants in the lateral entry to be commissioned officer. Upon the completion
of their requirements as officer he was designated chief of police at the different
municipal police stations in Antique.
PSINSP ANDICO is married to Darlene rose AdellouAlmonte and is blessed with
three children namely; Darnie Deanne A Andico, Winnie rose A Andico and Dean Jan
Elij A Andico.
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

The researcher PSINSP JOY JERMINA ELLAGA, was born on April 11,1976 at

Victorias City Negros Occidental. She finished her elementary education atVictorias

Elementary School (1989) and her secondary education at Victorias National High

School ( 1993). She earned her Bachelors Degree in Agriculture (1997) and Bachelors

Degree in Criminology ( 2011) at University of Negros Occidental- Recoletos, Bacolod

City. Likewise earned her Masters Degree in Public Management MPM at University of

St. La Salle- Bacolod and graduated with High Academic Honors on the year 2010.

Like her husband she entered police service as POI last December 16, 2002 .

After serving Victorias City Police Station as Chief of the Women and Children

Protection Desk for almost 10 years , the researcher decided to apply as

Commissioned Officer via Lateral Entry and took oath on Dec 14, 2012.

She was then assigned at Cadiz City Police Station , Negros Occidental as the

Deputy Chief of Police and later transferred back to her hometown Victorias City .She is

a recipient of various awards and commendations and latest of these was PRO 18

Outstanding Junior Police Commissioned Officer in the Field of Police Community

Relations in the year 2017.

 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

One of the researchers, PSINSP REX FRANCISCO FARREN was

born on March 18, 1979 at San Francisco Sur, Tibiao, Antique. He finished
his elementary education at Tibiao Central School, Tibiao, Antique and
completed his Secondary Education in Antique School of Fisheries (ASOF)
of the same town. He obtained his degree in Bachelor of Science in
Criminology at the University of Iloilo, Iloilo City.
He is a member of the PNP Class Matatag – Batch 2001. After his
training he was assigned in 602 nd Regional Mobile Group in Negros
Occidental and was transferred to Antique Police Provincial Office, San
Jose, Antique last 2003. In 2010 he was one of the lucky applicants in the
lateral entry to be commissioned officer. Upon the completion of the
requirements as officer he was designated Chief of Police at the different
municipal police stations in Antique. Prior to his PSOAC Schooling he was
assigned as Chief of Police of Valderrama Municipal Police Station,
Valderrama, Antique.
PSINSP REX FARREN is happily married to May Lynn M Farren and
blessed with three children namely; Rex Maynard M Farren, Reese
Nehema M Farren and Trexia Anjali M Farren.
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

One of the researchers, PSINSP MILO VALENTIN ABRIAM was

born on August 29, 1976 at Tarlac Province. He finished his elementary
education on 1990 at Camp Aquino Elem School, Brgy. San Miguel Tarlac
City and completed his Secondary Education in Tarlac National High
School. He obtained his degree in Bachelor of Science in Criminology at
the Angeles University Foundation, Angeles City.
He is a member of the PNP Class 1999. After his training he was
assigned in Regional Mobile Group 3, Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando,
Pampanga and was transferred to Regiona Intelligence Division, Police
Regional Office 3 (PRO3) 2007 to 2008. In September 1, 2008 he was one
of the lucky applicants in the lateral entry to be commissioned officer. Upon
the completion of the requirements as officer he was designated PCP
Commanders at Tarlac City Police Station and Chief of Police of Anao
Municipal Police Station in Tarlac Province. Prior to his PSOAC Schooling
he was assigned as Deputy Chief of Police of Concepcion Municipal Police
Station, Tarlac Province.
PSINSP MILO V ABRIAM blessed with one child named Zeke
CadenAbriam, 9 yrs old.