AN army general lauded the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) for decrying the recruitment and use of children as “child warriors” by the New People’s Army (NPA).
Brig. Gen. Edgardo de Leon, commander of the Malaybalay, Bukidnon-based 403rd Brigade, sent the regional office of the CHR a letter to express appreciation for the Commission’s initiatives and prompt action in calling out the NPA and demanding that it respect and adhere to the provisions of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), specifically for protesting the NPA recruitment of minors.
The military, in a statement, said it noted that CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia released a statement on the use of child warriors. It quoted de Guia as saying: “The Commission strongly denounces the use of child soldiers in armed conflict. Nothing can justify this deplorable practice. Under the International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, even non-state armed groups must respect the prohibition to recruit and use children in armed conflict and hostilities. We remind all armed groups that the use of child soldiers constitutes a war crime.”
The military said the government has been condemning the NPA for its “deception activities in schools and communities to recruit minors for later utilization as child warriors.”
Most of the victims, it said, were young indigenes and students.
De Leon said, “It pains us to see children’s rights being violated and children being used for the selfish desire of the communist terrorists take control of the government and bring an end to our democratic system.”
He said the military is hopeful that an investigation into what he called “crime against humanity” would be started soon.
“We shall fully cooperate with CHR in their investigation and assist if necessary. We can help them interview former rebels who were recruited and utilized as child warriors. As soldiers, we reaffirm our commitment to respect International Humanitarian Law in the performance of our constitutional mandate of protecting the Filipino people,” de Leon said. (PR)
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