Kalinaw News: Former NPA Child Warrior Receives Financial Assistance

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 15, 2022): Former NPA Child Warrior Receives Financial Assistance



CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela- A former NPA child warrior received financial assistance from the Commission on Human Rights on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at Camp Melchor F Dela Cruz, Upi, Gamu, Isabela.

Atty Jimmy Baliga, Regional Director of CHR 02 personally awards the cheque amounting P10,000 to alias Rasib. “Isa lamang si alyas Rasib sa mga benepisyaryo ng ating programa na layuning makapagbigay ng tulong sa mga indibidwal lalo na sa mga kabataan natin na nakaranas ng Human Rights Violation. Asahan ninyo, na kaagapay ninyo ang aming Kagawaran sa pangangalaga ng karapatang pantao ng sinuman lalo na ng mga biktima ng teroristang NPA.”

Alias Rasib was only 12 years old when he was used as a courier and eventually recruited by his uncle as an armed member in 2005. According to him, his uncle promised to send him school and help his family with their daily needs if he will join the terrorist group. At his will in helping his family he was convinced to hold firearms and revolt against the goverment until 2007.
“Sobrang hirap po talaga sa loob. Wala naman akong magawa kundi sundin ang kagustuhan nila dahil tinatakot nila ako at binabantaan ang aking pamilya. Pero nung nakakita ako ng pagkakataong tumakas, tinatagan ko na ang loob ko at nagpapasalamat ako sa kasundaluhan natin na nag assist po talaga sakin para makapagbagong buhay.”

The beneficiary also added that the financial assistance he received will be for their daily necessities. “Napakarami na pong tulong ang natanggap ko sa ating gobyerno. At itong bigay ng Commission on Human Rights ay idagdag ko upang makatulong sa pang araw-araw naming gastusin ng aking pamilya.”

Note that, last month, four former NPA child warriors were also awarded 10,000 pesos each by the CHR at 17th Infantry Battalion Headquarters, Bangag, Lal-lo, Cagayan.

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