PH Army strengthens youth resilience in Surigao Norte
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — Demonstrating its ongoing commitment to youth empowerment and peacebuilding, the 30th Infantry ‘Fight On’ Battalion (30IB) of the Philippine Army intensified its information, education, and communication (IEC) campaign among senior high schools in the province of Surigao del Norte.
Strengthened in close coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) and local school administrators, the initiative seeks to fortify young citizens against disinformation and subversive infiltration by fostering critical thinking and civic responsibility.
The IEC campaign and educational sessions focused mainly on two pressing national concerns: the sovereignty and the West Philippine Sea (WPS), specifically the strategic, economic, and historical importance of the WPS to the nation’s maritime integrity and future resource security, instilling civic pride and constitutional awareness among students; and on countering deceptive recruitment and the covert tactics and deceptive propaganda techniques employed by communist terrorist groups (CTGs) to exploit youth idealism, academic environments and vulnerable student demographics.
Through open forums and digital literacy discussions, the campaign encouraged students to verify information online, practice responsible social media usage, and take an active role in community peacebuilding.
Christine Anne, a senior high school student, said that attending the activity completely shifted how she viewed her role as a student online.
”Before these sessions, I didn’t think much about how a simple share or retweet could impact people outside my screen. Learning practical ways to verify information online before hitting the post button was a huge eye-opener. But the biggest takeaway for me was realizing how responsible social media usage directly ties into peacebuilding. Misinformation spreads fast and feeds real-world conflict, but we actually have the power to stop that cycle. Moving forward, I’m definitely taking a more active role in keeping our digital spaces accurate, respectful, and safe for everyone. Thank you to the organizers for creating a space where we could have these open, real conversations,” said Christine Anne.
Reinforcing the military’s proactive civil-military approach, Lieutenant Colonel Rey Vergel A. Annogui, commanding officer of the 30IB, emphasized the strategic role of the younger generation in long-term national stability.
“Our youth represent the bedrock of the nation’s future. By equipping them with verified facts and a solid understanding of national issues, we empower them to make informed choices and serve as proactive guardians of peace. The 30th Infantry Battalion will maintain an active partnership with educational institutions, local government units, and community stakeholders to protect our students from misinformation and extremist influence while deepening their love for the country,” Annogui said.
The conduct of the said campaign initiative aligns with the whole-of-nation approach to institutionalize peace and development by bridging security operations with social awareness.
By fostering dialogue directly inside classrooms, the 30IB continues to build resilient, law-abiding, and patriotic youth leaders in Surigao del Norte. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from 30IB, PA)
