Army commander appeals to NPA: Stop recruiting minors

From the Manila Bulletin (Apr 22): Army commander appeals to NPA: Stop recruiting minors

Butuan City – An Army commander has appealed to the New People’s Army (NPA), armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to stop recruiting minors into their ranks as this constitutes gross violation of international laws.

“We are appealing to the NPA to stop their recruitment activity targetting minors…nakakaawa itong mga inosenteng mga bata na sinasama nila,” said Lt. Col. Anastacio Suaybagiuo, commanding officer of the Army’s 36th Infantry Battallion (346th IB).

He asked human rights group and other organizations to join him in condemning the continuous recruitment of minors by the NPA.

The ground Army commander made this statement following an encounter that happened last week where a 19-year old NPA rebel was killed at Sitio (sub-village) Lamintao, Barangay Siagao, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur. An Army soldier was also wounded in the gunfight. An AK 47 rifle with 4 magazines live ammunitions were seized from the slain minor rebel.

Meanwhile, the 29th Infantry Battallion (29th IB) based at Barangay Del Pilar in Cabadbaran City is now assisting a rebel returnee who returned to the fold of the government last week.

The rebel returnee, Allan Quijano Tabura, 26, alias  a.k.a. Roger, a former member of Sangay sa Partido Pampropaganda 16-A of guerilla-Front Committee 16-A of the CPP-NPA North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee, yielded his AK47 rifle with five magazines and 147 rounds of ammunitions to 29th IB, and is set to receive cash assistance in exchange for his surrendered high powered firearm, aside from other livelihood assistance that will be given to him, said regional Army spokesman Maj. Christian C. Uy.

 

http://www.mb.com.ph/army-commander-appeals-to-npa-stop-recruiting-minors/