TACLOBAN CITY, May 18 --The Philippine Army on
Thursday condemned communist rebels for recruiting minors, following the apprehension
of a 12-year-old boy carrying ammunitions and cartridge allegedly for use of
rebel fighters in Northern Samar.
Maj. Gen. Raul M. Farnacio, commander of the Army’s
8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, Samar said the involvement of
minors in communist rebellion is a clear violation of the Comprehensive
Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
“Children ages 18 below are prohibited to
participate in any hostilities and carrying supplies that could merely put
their lives in danger,” Farnacio said.
The official made the statement after government
troops apprehended a boy carrying half sack of rice that concealed 20 rounds of
5.56 mm ammunitions, three cartridges 7.62 mm linked for M60 machinegun and two
cartridges 5.56 mm linked for K3 machine gun.
Soldiers of the 803rd Infantry Brigade noticed the
suspicious content of sacks while conducting security patrol on May 13 in De
Tubang village, Silvino Lobos, Northern Samar.
After an interview, the boy was turned-over to the
Provincial Social Welfare Development for proper custody and was brought to
Catarman Provincial Hospital for medical check up, the army said in a
statement.
“Let us give our children the chance to grow up
while peacefully learning from their youthful experiences and contributing in
their own unique ways. NPA should stop recruiting and using minors for their
illegal activities,” Farnacio added.
The military believes that the New People’s Army
has been recruiting minors in areas with poor road access and high illiteracy
rate, capitalizing on their innocence.
(Sarwell Q. Meniano/PNA)
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