Reds use boy as spy – Army

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 1): Reds use boy as spy – Army

Fort Ramon Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija — The Philippine Army based in Compostela Valley has come across an 11-year-old boy allegedly used by a rebel group to monitor troop movements at the height of recent clashes in the province, a general revealed yesterday.

Major General Glorioso Miranda, 7th Infantry Division (7ID) commander, identified the boy as a native of Manay, Davao Oriental, who now resides with his grandparents in Purok Miapis, Sitio Boringot, Barangay Napnapan, Pantukan, Compostela Valley.

Miranda said the boy admitted to elements of the Peace and Development Team (PDT) Bravo Company of the 71st Infantry Battalion (71IB) that a lawless armed group (LAG) had ordered him to monitor the activities of soldiers conducting Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) in the area.

He said the purok leader was called to witness the revelations of the boy to ensure that his rights were protected while being interviewed by soldiers.

“This (use of the boy by the rebels) is another manifestation of disrespecting and violating the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CAHRIHL) which was signed and agreed by both parties from the Government of Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and National Democratic Front (NDF) way back August 7, 1998,” Miranda said.

The child has been turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for proper disposition.

http://www.mb.com.ph/reds-use-boy-as-spy-army/