Slain NPA member only 15 years old: authorities

From the Mindanao Times (Apr 25): Slain NPA member only 15 years old: authorities

THE COMMUNIST rebel killed in an encounter in Barangay Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur on April 21 was only 15 years old, the military said. According to the report made by Lt. Col. Rhojun Rosales, commander of 39th Infantry Battalion, the fatality was identified as Rondi Ondo from Sitio Tombo, Barangay Old Bulatukan, Makilala, North Cotabato.

Balagtey said the teenager was identified by his mother Marissa A. Ondo at a funeral parlor in Sta Cruz, Davao Del Sur.

Ondo’s body was recovered at the encounter site still clad in the black NPA uniform and carrying his M16 rifle.

Members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives, along with the PNP Provincial Police Office, processed the encounter site. They also conducted an autopsy on Ondo and confirmed that he was still a minor.

Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., commander of Eastern Mindanao Command, condemned the New People’s Army’s continued recruitment of minors to fight its battles.

“It’s so sad to note that despite the worldwide call to spare children in armed struggle, the NPA terrorists continued to arm them and use them,” he said. “Let children be children, and allow them to play, learn, enjoy and experience the beauty of being a child and spare them from indoctrinating hatred and violence, ” Madrigal said.

Meanwhile, Lt Col. Rhojun Rosales, commander of the 39th Infantry Battalion, facilitated the transport of the remains of Ondi Ondo and the earlier identified NPA leader Julito Pueblas alias Taghoy, 62, from Sitio Pangayasan, Barangay Kisante to their respective families on April 22, 2018.

On the other hand, Jessa Lumana who was seized in the encounter site was already detained at the Sta Cruz Municipal Police Station to face criminal charge.

http://mindanaotimes.net/slain-npa-member-only-15-years-old-authorities/