The Philippine Army on Monday captured several minors believed to be
members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) armed with improvised
firearms and explosives in Midsayap, North Cotabato.
In a report aired on "24 Oras" Friday, Army spokesperson Col. Dickson
Hermoso said soldiers caught a group of BIFF fighters with during military
operations in several villages in Midsayap. They were approximately 17-years-old
and below
In the minors' possession were several improvised firearms and ammunition
for various guns. Some of the young fighters were also caught carrying
high-power explosives.
"Ginagamit nila (BIFF) ang mga batang ito, hindi lang bilang errand [boys]
o runners, pero humahawak rin sila ng baril," Hermoso said.
The colonel added that the soldiers sometimes feel hesitant to fire at
suspected members of the BIFF during combat for fear that they might hit
children.
Hermoso said the minors will be turned over to the supervision of the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) because they are juvenile
offenders who should not be jailed together with adult prisoners.
A
report released by the United Nations (UN) in June revealed that rebel
groups and the Philippine military recruited minors for their operations in
2012.
According to the UN, a total of 26 children—23 boys and three girls between
12 and 17 years—were recruited by Philippine armed groups last year.
The Army, however, said the reported use of children in military operations
is against their policy and they would have to check the veracity of the
information.
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