AFP hits NPA's recruitment of minor soldiers
ILOILO CITY — The Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Battalion once again chastised the New People's Army for the latter's alleged recruitment of minors.
Brigadier General Dinoh Dolina, 3rd IB commanding officer, said that the CPP-NPA's continued recruitment of minors as child warriors is a clear violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
He added that it also against Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
"They have intentionally exploited the innocent minds of these minors to do acts of terror against humanity. Basically, it's to serve the personal agenda of the leadership of the NPA, a communist terrorist group, to gain monetary advantage over the helpless masses and wornout business owners," Dolina said.
His statement came in the heels of the capture of six reported CPP-NPA members following an encounter with the 62nd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Luyang, Mabinay, Negros Occidental, last March 3.
The 62nd IB troops had a 45-minute gun battle with around 20 NPA members, whom the soldiers claimed were conducting extortion activities in the area.
The soldiers captured six alleged NPA members, two were minors while two others were aged 18 and 19.
The other two were Jomar Indico, 29, from Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, and Myles Albasin, 21, a Mass Communications graduate from the University of the Philippines Cebu.
The two minors were allegedly recruited as combatants from the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
Several M16 rifles, an M203 grenade launcher, two M4 rifles, explosives, and other subversive documents were recovered after the encounter.
Given that the six indulged soldiers in an armed clash, the 3rd IB hierarchy said they were treated humanely, which is a clear display of discipline and respect for human rights.
"The CPP-NPA's recruitment of minors is not new to us given that there are documented previous cases about minors who surrendered or were left behind by their comrades during encounters," Dolina further said.
He also cited revelations of former rebels and accounts from the communities to support such claims.
"Since then they have been recruiting minors to fill up their ranks and to do acts of terror. Basically, these minors are exploited doing the dirty work for the leadership of the CPP-NPA terrorists,” Dolina added.
The NPA are also recruitments minors even in Panay Island, 3rd IB public information officer Capt. Eduardo Precioso Jr. said.
"They find it hard to recruit. That's why they're taking chances of influencing the minds of kids into joining their ranks," he added.
But Precioso could not confirm if the NPAs have also infiltrated schools and universities in their recruitment activities.
With the recent incident, Dolina called on the CPP-NPA to surrender and give peace a chance.
"I hope they would give the government a chance to help them in realizing their aspiration of living peacefully with their love ones," he added.
He told them to avail of the government's Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP). Under the program, the government will offer P50,000 livelihood assistance and P15,000 immediate cash assistance of to NPA members who surrender, including a remuneration for each firearm surrendered.
Further, it will also give a reintegration package that includes livelihood and capacity development training.