Girl, 17, surrenders

From the Mindanao Times (Jul 5): Girl, 17, surrenders

A 17-year old girl believed to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the military on July 2 in Surigao del Sur.

Capt. Francisco Garello, civil-military operations officer (CMO) of 36th Infantry Battalion, said members of the battalion’s Bravo Company recovered the girl in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.

Garelo said the girl was a member of Team Baking, Squad Dos, SYP-I, SRC2130 of the North Eastern Mindanao Region Committee (NEMRC).

The girl claimed that she was forcibly recruited last December.

Lt. Col. Xerxes A Trinidad, commander of the battalion, said the rebels “have resorted to recruiting minors as they can easily manipulate and take advantage of their innocence.”

The girl claimed the rebels knew she was still a minor and that she was deceived to go with them as they promised her she would be allowed to talk with her cousin, also a rebel, as she was planning to entice him to return to their place.

When she tried to escape, she added, the rebels threatened to shoot her. The girl said she was able to escape on her second attempt.

http://mindanaotimes.net/girl-17-surrenders/