Bro./Capt. Neil Estrella (UST Chapter 1988) featured in Fox News

These “Four Musketeers” made the “Grand Tour” of special operations forces in the southern Philippines with Oliver North and cameraman Chris Jackson. From left to right: Sgt. “Rocky” Smith, USMC; War Stories Sr. Producer Martin Hinton; Producer Greg Johnson and Philippine Marine Captain Neil Estrella (UST ‘88).

This was hosted by the Auxiliary Services and the Institutional Communications and Relations Office. The Center for National Academic Research and Development Studies, Inc. (CNARDS) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sent their representatives to the half-day seminar on June 29. The seminar was the first venture of the Civil Relations Office under BGeneral Nestor Sadiarin of the AFP and Letran was the first to host this seminar.

Professors Estrellita P. Bautista and Emilie Tangonan of Philippine Christian University and student leader Kim Daniel-Coulis cited their experiences in PCU. They mentioned how such recruitment was being done through rock concerts, mountain climbing activities, and immersion activities (notably immersion in depressed areas). A rebel returnee, Prof. Agnes Leaño of Ateneo de Naga spoke of her days as a young “Ka Tina” and how she was taught how to kill and ambush soldiers. Captain Neil Estrella of the AFP presented a slide-show of communist activities and the structure of the Communist Party of the Philippines. He also lectured on other dissident groups whose activities include kidnapping, bombing, extortion, and the like. General Sadiarin answered questions from the audience and noted their suggestions on how to improve succeeding seminars. Reynaldo Angeles, chairman of CNARDS, gave the closing remarks and awarded Letran a plaque of appreciation for hosting the seminar. The group is holding its next seminar at Lyceum University of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, plans are underway to hold another seminar –this time involving students under the Office of Student and Cultural Affairs. The series of campus security seminars is held for professors, administrators, and security people on the threat of communist recruitment in Metro Manila schools.