TWO minors and another member of the New People’s Army surrendered to the Alfa Company of the 60th Infantry Battalion in Brgy. Sto. Niño,Talaingod, Davao del Norte on Tuesday.
Second Lt. Amadeuz Vincent John Celestial, civil military operations officer of 60thIB, identified the older rebel only as Marito, 27; while the minors were just 17 and 14.
The three, said Celestial, are members of the Ata Manobo tribe.
The military reported that the three first contacted a community leader in the area, who also happened to be a member of a paramilitary unit in the town.
The report said that a certain Jimboy recruited them with a promise of paying them salaries, something that never happened as they were made to join the rebel units in the Southern Mindanao Regional Command.
The three, said Celestial, are members of the Ata Manobo tribe.
The military reported that the three first contacted a community leader in the area, who also happened to be a member of a paramilitary unit in the town.
The report said that a certain Jimboy recruited them with a promise of paying them salaries, something that never happened as they were made to join the rebel units in the Southern Mindanao Regional Command.
The minors claimed they decided to separate themselves from the rebel and gave up to authorities because their units did not treat them humanely. They also feared the possibility of getting caught or killed.
The military report said the three have undergone medical examinations and stress debriefing as the minors will also undergo special psychological debriefing.
Lt. Colonel Emmanuel Canilla, commander of 60th IB said he was disheartened with the NPA’s use of the minors.
Canilla said that it was a clear manifestation of the NPA’s disregard of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law which the rebel group also signed.
Last March, two other child soldiers of the NPA also surrendered to 60IB in Kapalong.
The military report said the three have undergone medical examinations and stress debriefing as the minors will also undergo special psychological debriefing.
Lt. Colonel Emmanuel Canilla, commander of 60th IB said he was disheartened with the NPA’s use of the minors.
Canilla said that it was a clear manifestation of the NPA’s disregard of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law which the rebel group also signed.
Last March, two other child soldiers of the NPA also surrendered to 60IB in Kapalong.
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