Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 8) — The Commission on Human Rights (NPA) said Sunday it will probe the New People’s Army’s (NPA) alleged use of a child soldier, as reported by the military.
The CHR denounced the NPA’s supposed use of a 16-year-old boy as a soldier, saying the use of minors in combat is a war crime.
“Under the International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, even non-state armed groups must respect the prohibition to recruit and use children in armed conflict and hostilities,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said.
“Putting children in the battlefield imperils and endangers them. Even if they survive armed encounters, the psychological and mental impact can be lifelong,” she added. “[The boy] was still in his development years and should be focusing on honing his potentials so he can pursue his goals and dreams but his life was snuffed out and can no longer be taken back.”
The military reported Monday that it has identified the 16-year-old NPA combatant, who was slain in an encounter, through his brother.
The military recovered two AK-47 rifles, one M16A1 rifle, one M16A1-RMC rifle, five civilian backpacks, two bandoleers, subversive documents, and other personal belongings along with the boy’s body.
The supposed child soldier was a sixth grade student who had gone missing in February, the military said.
“His case is a clear violation of children's rights. He was deceptively recruited for the ideology he does not even understand. This act is being condemned in the highest form. It paints the true color of the [communist terrorist groups] who disregard the concern and human rights of the people, particularly the children," Eastern Mindanao Commander Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. said.
The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines. The groups have yet to comment on this issue.
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