This is in relation to the published news entitled “Former BU Student Killed in Army NPA Clash” dated 25 September 2007 where you stressed a former student activist highly active in the League of Filipino Students (LFS) identified as Mateo Lodivino was killed in an encounter in Barangay Butag, Bulan, Sorsogon on 23 September 2007. From an activist, it was learned that he joined the CPP-NPA-NDF as a full-time cadre.
This is one of most touching stories that pierced my heart differently. I happened to witness same sad episode in my life where my nephew Marvin Marquez was killed also between the military and NPA encounter in Kauswagan, Trinidad, Bohol. We never expected Marvin would die in an encounter because we sent him to school in Cebu City hoping he could help his family. But as we learned, he was recruited by the CPP-NPA-NDF and became a leader of Bayan Muna.
The CPP-NPA-NDF destroyed Lodivino’s promising future by asking him to give up his studies and sacrifice what he has and what he could have been in exchange for a futile armed struggle. In exchange for all these, he was left dead in an encounter like what happened to my nephew.
The gruesome fate of Lodivino should serve as a warning to students what life-altering or life-ending situation will be effected with their association and membership in an internationally denounced terrorist organization. Worst still, their bodies will be left behind to rot like common animals.
I am asking for our students to take caution in considering membership especially with activist groups. While there is nothing wrong in peaceful assemblies: everything is wrong in joining the CPP-NPA-NDF who promotes terror and violence. Once they do, their future is no longer theirs to fulfill for it will end in futility. — BONAPARTE VELOSO, Bicol