Duterte Youth

Duterte Youth
Formation 2016
Type Youth organization
Region served
Philippines
Membership (2016)
600
Chairman
 Ronald Cardema

The Duterte Youth is a right-wing[1] youth organization which supports the administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

It is led by Ronald Cardema who is the group's chairman.[2] Cardema is also the chairman of the Kabataan for Bongbong Movement, a youth organization supporting Ferdinand Marcos Jr..[3]

The group has also been compared to the Hitler Youth of the Nazi Party.[4]

History

It was formed in 2016 and has supported the presidential campaign of Duterte leading to the 2016 Philippine elections. The group first held their rally on November 25 which coincided with protest action against the burial of Ferdinand Marcos at the Heroes' Cemetery to express their support to Duterte. The rally was attended by 20 to 50 people. [2]

In December 2016, Cardema claimed that the Duterte Youth has already 600 members across the Philippines.[2]

The Duterte Youth reportedly said in February 2017 that they plan to recruit 1 million members by recruiting 1,000 people in each municipality and 5,000 each in each city ages 15 to 30.[5]

Stance

Government policies

According to Cardema in December 2016, his group supports all of Duterte's policies including the death penalty and federalism, except the implementation of the Philippine war on drugs which resulted to deaths. He said that the group only supports detainment of suspected drug lords and users. Cardema suggests rehabilitating addicts pointing to the fact that a drug rehabilitation facility had just opened at that time.[2]

In August 2016, the group has expressed support for the revival of mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps program for college students as well as support for Citizenship Advancement Training for high school students and scouting for elementary students. The Duterte Youth cited South Korea and Singapore for their similar programs for the youth which they believe has instilled nationalism, discipline and cooperation among their youth.[3]

When the group reportedly announced their recruitment plans, the youth organization said that they will help secure the presidency of Duterte against plots to oust him, as well as help the police and military detain criminals.[5]

The group's name

Cardema has acknowledged that his group has been compared to the Hitler Youth of the Nazi Party but emphasized that German youth organization existed in "different generation, a different continent, in a different context". He response to those drawing comparisons that the Hitler Youth has no patent over its name, that it is not "forbidden" for a group to attach the word "Youth" to a name of a non-German President, and remarked that "all countries have youth".[4]

References

  1. ↑ Maglana, Mags Z. (2017-03-05). "Maglana: Understanding the right-wing authoritarian follower". Sunstar. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Cabato, Regine (5 December 2016). "Duterte Youth: Don't kill drug pushers". CNN Philippines. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  3. 1 2 "AFP backs return of ROTC, says strong nations have it". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 7 August 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  4. 1 2 Bueno, Anna (December 1, 2016). "Holding the line at the Duterte Youth rally". CNN Philippines.
  5. 1 2 "Duterte Youth' to recruit 1 million to defend Duterte from ouster". ABS-CBN News. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
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