DILG calls on leftists to ‘free’ youth amid SC show cause order

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Saturday called on leftist groups to free Alice Jasper (AJ) Lucena and other youth they had allegedly recruited, pointing out that recruitment of minors and child warriors was a clear violation of international law. 

“They cannot wash their hands of the brainwashing activities they do to mislead the youth towards communist terrorism,” said DILG Secretary Eduardo M.Año.

“You (communist terrorist groups or CTGs) infect and contaminate our youth with your pretentious and false notion of nationalism. Kaya kayo hindi nagtatagumpay ay dahil hindi totoong para sa bayan ang inyong adhikain,” he added.

The Supreme Court (SC) En Banc had earlier directed leftist leaders to respond to the Show Cause Order issued on May 19 against respondents Kabataan party-list Representative Sarah Elago, Anakbayan Spokesperson Alex Danday, Anakbayan recruiters and members Chary Delos Reyes, Bianca Gacos, and Jayroven Ballais Villafuerte, and lawyer Maria Kristina Conti.

The show cause order was issued after the May 8 filing of petitions for the issuance of the writ of Habeas Corpus and Amparo by Francis and Relissa Lucena, the parents of AJ, against the respondents.

AJ, now 18 years old, was a minor two years ago when she was recruited by leftist youth organizations and had been missing since July 2019. In August 2019, AJ spoke in a press conference held by leftist lawmakers in Congress saying she voluntarily joined the CTGs.

The Lucena couple alleged that AJ’s life, liberty, and security were violated when she was a minor, and this was aggravated by the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic because she has no proper support, has become an out-of-school youth, and has no gainful employment.

The suit also sought a court order directing and ordering the immediate transfer of AJ to the care and custody of her parents in compliance with the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, compelling everyone to stay at home with their families.

Año assured the Lucena couple that the DILG will help in getting AJ back to her parents in compliance with the law and Constitution which states that the natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character shall receive the support of the government.

The Constitution also mandates the State to promote and protect the youth’s physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being.  — DVM, GMA News