NPA local unit in Ilocos Sur using child warriors–Army

From the Business Mirror (Sep 4): NPA local unit in Ilocos Sur using child warriors–Army

Soldiers deployed in the province of Ilocos Sur have accused the New People’s Army (NPA), particularly its local unit, of employing child warriors as corroborated by former rebels who have surrendered to the government.

Members of the Army’s 81st Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Ilocos Sur made the claims against the NPA’s Platun South Ilocos Sur (SIS), which operates in the Ilocos provinces and in Abra and nearby provinces.

On July 22 members of the 81st IB encountered at least 12 rebels from the SIS at Barangay Sorioan, Salcedo, Ilocos Sur, triggering 30 minutes of firefight.

During the clash, the soldiers recovered 20 rounds of M-14 ammunition, homemade bombs, cleaning gears, rebel documents and other personal belongings.

The encounter was followed by another firefight on August 5 at Sitio Mabileg, Barangay San Elias, Sigay, Ilocos Sur, as the troops continuously pursued the rebels.

Lt. Col. Eugenio Julio Osias IV, commander of the 81st IB, said the successive operations have prompted some members of the local guerilla unit to surrender to the government.

“Through the continuous interviews and having established a good rapport with these surrenderees, they revealed that many members of their group [Platun SIS] include fighters 21 years old and below,” Osias said.

“These child warriors were newly recruited through ideological political organizational works, and they were used as members of the armed group that operates in the Triple S Complex of South Ilocos Sur [Santa Cruz, Santa Lucia and Salcedo],” Osias added.

Osias said they were withholding the names of the surrenderees for security reasons “pending the processing of their status”.

The use of child warriors by the SIS has reached Major Gen. Angelito de Leon, commander of the 7th Infantry Division, who called on the rebels to stop this practice.

“It is a violation to the law, RA [Republic Act] 7610, and the signed agreement, Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, that these rebels are recruiting child warriors/minors to join them in their armed struggle and allowing them to take part in gun battles,” he said. “We will further strengthen our intelligence and civil military operations so that these activities will stop,” he added.

On the other hand, Osias said they were already identifying the families of the reported child warriors to inform them about the status of their relatives.

“We are tracking the relatives of these minors so that their respective families will be made aware of their situation, and for these families to help the government in persuading their children to leave the armed struggle,” Osias said.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/npa-local-unit-in-ilocos-sur-using-child-warriors-army/