NPA condemned anew for continually recruiting, exploiting, molding minors into warriors

The New People’s Army in Negros was condemned anew for continually recruiting and exploiting minors and making them child warriors.

This, followining the confession of a 15-year-old, who admitted to be among those participated in recent armed clashes with the 94th Infantry Battalion in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

According to Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 3rd Army Infantry Division commander, the minor known only by his alias as “RR” surrendered to the 94IB on Oct. 4, accompanied by his mother.

Arevalo also said that the minor confessed that he is a member of Squad 1, Sentro De Grabidad Platoon of the communist-terrorists’ Central Negros Front 2.

The twin encounters in Brgys. Carabalan and Buenavista, all in Himamaylan City, led to the recovery of two high-powered firearms, including M16 and M124 assault rifles, two fragmentation grenades, two hand-held radio sets with chargers, assorted ammunition, subversive documents and personal belongings left behind by the fleeing rebels.

A temporary rebel camp was also seized by 94IB soldiers.

“The CPP-NPA in Negros Island are destroying the future of minors they are recruiting, by molding them into combatants to cast terrorism and fight against the government,” the Army division commander said.

“This devious and inhumane act is a blatant violation of International Humanitarian Law,” he added.

Arevalo is urging Negrenses, especially the parents, to guide and protect their children from the deceitful recruitment maneuver of the local terrorist group.* (NNG FBCG)