Youth Can Play Big Role in Advancing PH Peace, Dev’t Goals

The youth can play a very big role in advancing the nation’s peace and development.

This was stated by television actor and probationary 2nd Lt. Matteo Guidicelli said during the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) forum at the Notre Dame of Jolo College, Jolo Sulu last July 15.

In the same event, the reservist emphasized that the Philippine Army (PA) recognizes the youth, particularly the Muslim youth, role in advancing these ideals through PCVE.

“We hold a very, very strong part in our country and we can create big change in the future,” Guidicelli said as he begged to disagree with those who are afraid of the Muslims.

“I want to show them how big of hearts you guys have. But we cannot do it alone, the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) cannot do it alone,” Guidicelli added in a statement forwarded Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Philippine Army chief, Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto, who was one of the Army officers accompanying Guidicelli to the event, said getting the youth to renounce terrorism would effectively stop this threat.

“Our intention is to stop terrorism, to stop the recruitment of our youth to join these terrorist groups and hope we will have a successful effort and we will have a good future. If we get the youth to denounce terrorism, we may put an end to terrorism,” he added.

PCVE expert and a Tausug herself, Capt. Sherhannah Paiso, also highlighted that the youth is the most vulnerable target of violent extremism.

“The youth are very emotional since they are not yet equipped with critical thinking skills. If they talk to someone who is manipulative and who tend to manipulate the verses of the Quran in their own advantage, then they might be believing that,” she said.

Paiso also said PCVE is all about prevention by recognizing the signs, particularly the push and pull factors of someone becoming a violent extremist.

Discrimination and lack of economic opportunity are just some of the push factors, while the pull factor comes from these threat groups, which try to entice the youth – especially those under the poverty line – by giving them money, firearms and false promises. (PNA)