UNICEF, MILF start process of releasing child-warriors

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) yesterday released the first batch of more than 1,800 children associated with its Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Women’s Auxiliary Brigade (BIWAB) in a formal ceremony in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat.

In a statement, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), which facilitated the process, said the event was “part of a series of ceremonies that will eventually disengage 1,858 children who were formally or informally associated with the armed wing of the MILF.”

The agency said it facilitated the release “in line with the UN-MILF Action Plan on addressing the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict in Mindanao.”

“Children affected by armed conflict are some of the most vulnerable children in the world. We need not look far. Right here in the Philippines children are affected by armed conflict in different ways. They can be recruited as soldiers and engaged in direct combat, or as aides with seriously harmful consequences threatening their life and well-being. Let children be children – let them play, go to school, and live healthy and happy,” UNICEF Philippines Representative Lotta Sylwander says.

The UN-MILF Action Plan was signed in 2009, and extended in 2013 that signified the commitment of the MILF to end the recruitment and use of children within their ranks.

According to UNICEF, the “progress achieved to date was the result of the commitment and action by the MILF at the highest levels, as well as by front and base commanders.”

“The systematic sensitization, awareness raising and training initiatives for the BIAF and communities living in core MILF base command areas were essential pre-requisites to achieve a level of understanding and acceptance on the issue of recruitment and use of children,” UNICEF said.

The children’s agency cited the case of Fatima, 16, who was forced to leave her home because of conflict in the region. She was taken in by the Moro group in a community to help wash dishes, cook and clean the surroundings.

“I don’t like it when people fight because children like me get caught in the middle. We get scared when we have to flee. I hope that war will stop so that our communities can live in peace and quiet,” she said.

The release of children associated with MILF would now allow them to receive appropriate support from government and development partners to enjoy all their rights to health, education and protection.

The MILF is also bound to institute safeguards through its command structure to regularly monitor and screen troops to prevent children from associating or re-associating.

“The release of children from the MILF is only the beginning of the next phase of their youth. The next step is to ensure that these children receive support. The work to build a lasting peace involves everyone, including the government, the NGO community, private sector, local leaders, elders, parents, and the children themselves,” Sylwander adds.