MANILA, Philippines – Months after an international human rights group slammed them for allegedly fabricating stories of child recruits in the New People’s Army rebel group, the Armed Forces of the Philippines claimed that they have proof disproving these accusations.
In an interview with Colonel Arnulfo Burgos, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman, he said that 19 of the 80 rebel returnees who surrendered in Bukidnon earlier this week were minors.
Burgos said the “former NPA rebels” were from 10 to 18 years old. Others who surrendered were 19 years old and have been with the rebel ranks for more than five years.
“This only validates and confirms the recruitment of children in the armed conflict which is against the law. This shows that they continue to exploit children,” Burgos said.
He added that military records showed that between the years 2000 to 2010, the NPA rebel group recruited at least 340 minors and were used in the rebels’ frontlines in Bicol, Batangas and Samar.
Burgos added that the NPA recruit children as couriers or messengers since they could easily evade police and military.
Those aged between 16 and 18 years old are taught how to use firearms and fight.
The 80 rebel returnees surrendered on Monday to the 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion last Nov. 14, 2011 at South Poblacion, Maramag, Bukidnon.
In a separate statement, Major Eugenio Julio Osias IV said that the young rebels were members of the Tigwahanon, Matigsalog and Manobo tribes from San Fernando, Bukidnon. The ages of the returnees were determined during the debriefing of the 80 former rebels.
He added that this also proved that the NPA has been lying since they have consistently denied having child warriors.
Last month, international human rights watchdog, Human Rights Watch, accused the Philippine Army of fabricating stories about child warriors in the NPA as part of its propaganda against the rebel group.
The military denied the allegations, saying that they have proof. –Kate Evangelista, INQUIRER.net
July 2025
Nutrition Month
“Give us much more than P50 increase
for proper nutrition!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos
July
3 July – International Day of Cooperatives
3 July – International Plastic Bag Free Day
5 July – World Youth Skills Day
7 July – Global Forgiveness Day
11 July – World Population Day
17 July – World Day for International Justice
28 July – World Nature Conservation Day
30 July – World Day against Trafficking in Persons
Monthly Observances:
Schools Safety Month
Nutrition Month
National Disaster Consciousness Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 2: Cultural Communities Week
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise
Development Week
Week 3: National Science and
Technology Week
National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week
July 1-7:
National Culture Consciousness Week
July 13-19:
Philippines Business Week
Week ending last Saturday of July:
Arbor Week
Daily Observances:
First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines
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