CGMTY, MAWAB, Compostela Valley Province – A fourteen (14)-year old "child soldier" being used by the NPAs as an improvised explosive device (IED) bomber was brought by his two uncles to elements of 46IB in Pantukan, Compostela Valley Province last February 23, 2016 to facilitate his return to the folds of the law.
The uncles of alias John, 14 sought the assistance of a Peace and Development Team (PDT) of 46IB so they could turn-over their nephew to the proper authorities. Their names are being withheld for security reasons and the security of John, who is still a minor. The uncles revealed that John was trained and utilized by the NPAs to lay IEDs targeting the soldiers which worried them since the child is already receiving threats from the NPAs when he started to refuse to do it.
John was immediately turned-over to Pantukan PNP for documentation and subsequently transferred to the care and protection of the DSWD.
It can be recalled that another “child soldier” known as alias Dong, 14 together with Ronel Paas alias Dondon, 35 were captured at a checkpoint while escaping from an encounter with elements of 46IB at Sitio Post 4 of the same municipality last February 9. The two were wounded while actively participating in the armed engagement with the soldiers. They were immediately brought by the soldiers to a hospital in Pantukan but Ronel Paas died due to his fatal wounds. After initial treatment, Dong was evacuated to Camp Panacan Hospital and subsequently turned over to the care and protection of DSWD.
MGen Rafael Valencia, 10ID commander reiterated his message calling on the remaining active NPAs to finally return to the folds of the law. “The NPA should respect the rights of children to live normal and peaceful lives. They should also respect international convention and protocols which provide
that children shall neither be recruited in the armed forces or groups nor allowed to take part in hostilities," he concluded.
Source: Division Public Affairs Office, 10th Infantry Division
The uncles of alias John, 14 sought the assistance of a Peace and Development Team (PDT) of 46IB so they could turn-over their nephew to the proper authorities. Their names are being withheld for security reasons and the security of John, who is still a minor. The uncles revealed that John was trained and utilized by the NPAs to lay IEDs targeting the soldiers which worried them since the child is already receiving threats from the NPAs when he started to refuse to do it.
John was immediately turned-over to Pantukan PNP for documentation and subsequently transferred to the care and protection of the DSWD.
It can be recalled that another “child soldier” known as alias Dong, 14 together with Ronel Paas alias Dondon, 35 were captured at a checkpoint while escaping from an encounter with elements of 46IB at Sitio Post 4 of the same municipality last February 9. The two were wounded while actively participating in the armed engagement with the soldiers. They were immediately brought by the soldiers to a hospital in Pantukan but Ronel Paas died due to his fatal wounds. After initial treatment, Dong was evacuated to Camp Panacan Hospital and subsequently turned over to the care and protection of DSWD.
MGen Rafael Valencia, 10ID commander reiterated his message calling on the remaining active NPAs to finally return to the folds of the law. “The NPA should respect the rights of children to live normal and peaceful lives. They should also respect international convention and protocols which provide
that children shall neither be recruited in the armed forces or groups nor allowed to take part in hostilities," he concluded.
Source: Division Public Affairs Office, 10th Infantry Division
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