The 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army urges the youth to stand up against the Communist Terrorist Groups recruitment of minors.
Based on 4ID records for the period 2016 to 2019, the CTGs were recruiting minors as young as 12 years old. The average age of recruits in Northern Mindanao and Caraga Regions is 17 years old.
Just recently, a 16-year old New People’s Army member named Litboy Binongcasan was killed in an encounter with the troops of the 23rd Infantry Battalion at the hinterlands of Brgy. Manila de Bugabos, Butuan City. He was recruited when he was just 14-years old.
His mother Genelyn Binongcasan emotionally said, “Nganu man gi-rekrut sa NPA akong menor-de-edad nga anak? Kung wala nila ni ma-rekrut, makatabang pa unta ni sa amoa bisan pa man nga mag-uuma lang mi, hapsay nga namuyo.”
Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio Gacal, 4ID Commander urges the parents to take action against the vicious cycle of NPA recruitment to save the precious lives of our Filipino children. (4id)
