IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon - Representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) recently visited the 17-year old NPA child combatant who surrendered to the 8th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army at Barangay Poblacion, this municipality.
Learning that a minor from the CPP-NPA surrendered, representatives of ICRC visited the unit to personally see the condition of the minor and interview him on how he was recruited by the group and his affiliation to it.
A face to face dialogue was done between the ICRC team and @Marben inside the 8IB military camp. No military personnel was present in the dialogue to give the child his freedom to express what he wants and the ICRC members to ask their questions freely.
Marben after his interview with the ICRC said, (translated) “they give me their calling card to call whenever I need assistance.”
He also answered the queries regarding his role in the NPA group, “I was tasked to deliver supplies for the rebels and monitor the movement and presence of the army troops. They forced me to join their ranks at a young age.”
Likewise, Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Illana, Commanding Officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion condemned the recruitment of minors by the NPA, “Marben is a proof that NPAs are recruiting minors and this should be investigated and be stopped. Children should go to school, not to war,” he said.
“Our unit is open to all organizations who wish to investigate incidents of abuses to our people. We are very transparent on this matters”, he added.
Parents who have missing children are also encouraged to report their cases to proper authorities so that the government can take proper actions. (PA)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1026710
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