THE 14-year-old NPA “recruit” rescued by government troops following a clash in Pantukan, Compostela Valley is scheduled to go under the knife to remove another bullet in his left leg.
Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP press conference, Pedrita Dimakiling of the Department of Social Welfare Development Office, said they already took out the first bullet from the same leg.
She said after the surgery and treatment, the adolescent will be provided with psycho-social intervention.
“He will remain in our custody and we will make an assessment to know who will take care of him after the intervention,” Dimakiling added.
For now, their main concern is the temporary shelter of the alleged child rebel.
The child is being treated at Southern Philippines Medical Center and the military is shouldering the cost of his procedure and medication.
Capt. Rhyan Batchar, spokesperson of 10th Infantry Division, insisted that the 14-year-old is a child soldier.
“As far as we know he actively participated with the NPAs,” he said. “It was also based on his revelation that he was a member of NPA.”
The boy, along with alleged guerilla Ronel Paas, resident of Magnaga, Pantukan, was intercepted at a checkpoint mounted by the police and military.
Ronel was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital due to gunshot wound on his chest while the 14-year-old was treated at Camp Panacan Station Hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound on his lower left leg.
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines has yet to issue a statement on the accusation by the army that it recruited the 14-year-old as one of its fighters.
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