Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 12, 2020): Father, Child-Soldier Son Surrender
BRGY TAMBO, Ayungon, Negros Oriental – A father and his 16-year old son, who identified themselves as participants in the communist armed struggle in Brgy Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, surrendered to the 94th Infantry Battalion, 3ID, PA on October 9, 2020.
The father, a.k.a @Joker, 40yo, was a member of the Yunit Militia while his son, a.k.a. @Jacking, was a medical officer for the Sentro De Gravidad (SDG) Platoon of the Central Negros Front 2. @Joker surrendered with him a Cal.38 pistol while @Jacking, a Cal.30 Springfield sniper rifle. Names are withheld for security, safety, and privacy of the minor.
According to @Joker, the series of encounters and the relentless combat operations of the 94IB in the hinterlands of Himamaylan City, Binalbagan and Kanbankalan City against the CNTs urged him to surrender for fear of his son’s safety.
“I know that the Army will catch up with them pretty soon and I can’t afford to see my young son die. He deserves to realize his ambitions in life,” said @Joker in his native dialect.
@Jacking was recruited when he was only 11yo. He was with the CNT group that engaged in the fierce firefight with the 94IB on April 19, 2020 in So. Tugas, Brgy. Carabalan, Himamaylan City where 2LT Ralf Amante Abibico and two (2) soldiers died.
He said that his former CNT unit suffered casualties during that encounter but were able to carry their cadavers with them. 94IB Commander LTC Angelo S Guzman said that the battalion will facilitate the application of @Joker and his son, @Jacking to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).
“Children, like @Jacking and many others like him, do not belong in the warzones. They do not deserve to live in violence and fear. They belong in the safety of their homes and communities. They belong in schools that would educate them so they have a brighter future. We condemn the CNT’s recruitment of child soldiers consistent with the principles of the International
Humanitarian Law and Laws pertaining to the protection of children in the armed conflict,” said 302nd Infantry Brigade Commander BGen Neol Baluyan.
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https://www.kalinawnews.com/father-child-soldier-son-surrender/
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