THE New People’s Army (NPA), the armed-wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front, has been recruiting children and using them as warriors in violation of the Geneva Convention, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Maj. Gen. Victor Felix, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, disclosed Thursday that they have evidence to prove their accusation, saying that they have with them the remains of an NPA child warrior who was left behind by his comrades after an encounter with elements of the 402nd Infantry Brigade last May 29 at Brgy. Tubigon, Sibagat, Agusan del Norte.
“After the rebels withdrew from the area they left behind a dead comrade who was later identified as Richard Paras, who was only 17 years old,” Felix added.
Paras, a resident of Brgy. Pandiay, New Tubigon, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, was reportedly identified by residents of the village where the encounter took place and by a captured NPA member Julieto Canoy alias “Kumander Boom.”
Felix called on the NPA leadership to spare the children, adding that he has ordered as well all his field commanders to protect the children during encounters and to always uphold the respect for human rights, especially the rights of women and children.
“Children should be left out from the rebel’s senseless fight. They are taking advantage of the child’s innocence and teaching them to be warriors, taking away the youthful progressive years wherein kids are supposed to be in school. I call upon the NPA to spare our children; our future’s hope and let them grow in peace,” he said.
The division spokesman, Major Eugenio Julio Osias IV, said that the NPA
has long been recruiting children to augment its dwindling ranks.
“This proves that communists are indeed using minors on their frontlines in gross violation of the Geneva Convention,” Osias said. “We believed that there are many more minors that were recruited to become child warriors.”
Records from the AFP’s Civil Relations Service showed that over the last 12 years, the military has neutralized a total of 340 child warriors, aged 15 to 18. -WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL, Manila Times
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