Eastmincom urges NPA to stop use of child soldiers

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 29): Eastmincom urges NPA to stop use of child soldiers

The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) has reiterated its call to the New People's Army (NPA) to stop using minors as combatants.

This came after a 15-year-old boy from Barangay Old Bulatukan, Makilala, North Cotabato and a member of the rebel group, was killed in an encounter in Davao del Sur last April 21.

Eastmincom commander Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. said it was a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) because minors should be spared from any conflict.

"We are saddened by what happened to him," Madrigal said.

Madrigal noted that the rebels are still using minors in their operations.

Earlier, the 39th Infantry Battalion identified the rebel killed during the April 21 encounter as Rondi Ondo - through his mother, Marissa A. Ondo, in a funeral parlor in Sta. Cruz, Davao Del Sur during a public identification.

In its report, operatives recovered an M-16 rifle and Ondo’s remains were in black NPA uniform.

Karapatan-Southern Mindanao Region (SMR) denied the military’s claim that the 15-year-old boy was killed in an alleged armed encounter in Barangay Astorga in Santa Cruz was a member of NPA.

Karapatan SMR secretary general Jay Apiag said the 39th IBPA, 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion and the Eastern Mindanao Command's allegation was "baseless" at the expense of the victim and his grieving kin.

But the said military relies more on the information given by the family of the slain rebel.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1033606