Army confirms NPA's massive recruitment of kids in Northern Samar

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, May 22 --The Army's 803rd Brigade here on Monday confirmed massive recruitment of children in upland villages of Mapanas and Palapag towns by the New People's Army (NPA). 

Brig. Gen. Mario Lacurom, commander of the Army’s 803rd Brigade, confirmed the recruitment of at least 30 children to be trained as "soldiers" in Northern Samar. 

Aside from being tapped as spy, messenger, cook, supplies carriers to other rebel camps, children are also trained to fight and use rifles and were given political indoctrination.

“Rebellion exposes children to different forms of violence and exploitation. Education is the key for a better society, but I have seen how this war in Northern Samar has affected so many children who are so talented but unable to go to school,” Lacurom told PNA.

“In Northern Samar province, which has suffered for years from conflict and families don’t have the basic necessities of life, there are few influences that can compete with a 'warrior’s' life,” the army official said.

“Orphaned children and those who have grown up alone, frightened, and surrounded by violence see this as a permanent way of life, and they often choose to fight,” he added.

Reportedly, there are at least three to five children under 18 year of age in every rebel camp in Northern Samar undergoing training for combat and in direct support roles.

Atoy (not his real), a former rebel, who joined the communist rebellion for five years confirmed that the NPA aims their propaganda at young people.

“It’s easier to ask children to do something. They are teachable and (they) easily trust rebel leaders,” Atoy told PNA.

These children became associated with rebels through some organization in the village level, he said. “Some children just wanted to become armies and involve themselves in the group while others are deliberately recruited by the rebels,” he added.

Most of these children have parents or grandparents engaged in the underground movement. “Situations of displacement and poverty make children even more vulnerable to recruitment,” the former rebel added.

On May 13, the Philippine Army apprehended a 12-year-old boy carrying ammunition and cartridge allegedly for use of rebel fighters in Northern Samar.

Government troops condemned the involvement of minors in communist rebellion since it was a clear violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

The army in Northern Samar has been trying to rescue children from rebel’s hands while other government agencies like the DSWD pledged to provide psychological counselling to help demobilized recruited children.
 (Jazmin Bonifacio/PNA)