A youth solon is upset over the inclusion of a pro-martial law subject in the proposed school syllabus of an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-backed think tank.

Representative Raoul Manuel of the Kabataan Partylist brought up the proposed curriculum of the Center for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism as he was interpellating the Department of National Defense’s (DND) proposed budget for 2024 on Wednesday, September 20.

“Bahagi ng syllabus na gustong gawin ng center na ito at ibibigay sa CHEd at DepEd ay ‘Benefits of Martial Law to the Economy’,” declared Rep. Manuel on the House plenary floor.

Rep. Mercedes Alvarez of Negros Occidental’s 6th district, who sponsors the DND budget, responded when asked about the syllabus inclusion: “Mr. Speaker, the department aims to present a balanced view.”

“It is also imperative Mr. Speaker that the youth of today will be informed of what happened in the past and the learnings of the past,” Alvarez added.

Rep. Manuel responded, “Kasama ba ng balanced na pag-aaral ng martial law ng dikdator na si Marcos Sr…ang pagbagsak ng ekonomiya dahil sa paglobo ng utang ng ating bansa, dahil sa cuts sa social services? Ang gutom ng mga taga-Negros dahil sa famine? Ang mahabang pila ng mga kababayan natin na di makabili ng bigas tulad ngayon?”

“We can’t accept na state-sponsored ang disinformation, dahil mismo ang state institutions natin ang may ganitong pagtingin sa martial law ng diktador na si Marcos Sr.” Manuel added.

Philippine history as “NPA” subject – AFP think tank

Rep. Manuel also questioned the output of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) think tank identifying Philippine History and two other study topics “national situation” and “world situation” as “New People’s Army (NPA) subjects.”

“Would our [budget] sponsor agree that these are NPA subjects?” Manuel said.

The youth solon also showed pages from the research conducted by the think tank containing this claim.

“These are being used by the NPA,” adding that young people are “vulnerable to misinformation.” Alvarez answered.

“Misinformation is one of the threats in our society. [And] the youth are vulnerable to misinformation. The goal is to protect them from being misinformed and manipulated to serve some people’s agenda,” Alvarez added.

Manuel responded by emphasizing that the youth are not ignorant and that these topics are not used for recruiting communists.

“Modesty aside, Summa Cum Laude po ako. Hindi ako bobo. Insulto sa mga kabataan na ang turing ng AFP sa ganitong topics ay patungo lang sa pagiging rebelde,” Manuel said.

“Anong aasahan natin sa kabataan na di alam kung ano nangyayari sa bansa, sa mundo at sa kasaysayan?,” Manuel added.

Photo: Rep. Raoul Manuel FB