AFP PR
CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City — The Armed Forces of the Philippines Human Rights Office (AFPHRO) submitted a report to the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator presenting the list of child warriors employed by the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
A total of 544 minors were used and exploited by the CPP-NPA-NDF according to the document signed by the AFPHRO Chief Colonel Alejandro S. Nacnac. According to the report, these so-called child warriors were used by the said group in its armed activities.
The AFPHRO has been working together with the UN Resident Coordinator in monitoring and reporting incidents of violations against Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The data on minors being employed by the CPP-NPA-NDF for armed encounters dates back to 2010. The number is expected to rise as several military units continue to conduct inquiry on the matter.
Also cited in the report are violations of national laws such as RA 7610, RA 9851 and RA 11188. These laws enact stronger deterrence and protection against child abuse, exploitation and discrimination, penalty for crimes against IHL, and special protection of children during armed conflicts while providing penalties for violations thereof.
Copies of the report have been furnished to UNICEF and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Prior to this, the AFPHRO already submitted a similar report to the Commission on Human Rights to seek appropriate action.
The report also aims to enlist the above-mentioned organizations’ support in AFPHRO’s quest to put a stop to this nefarious practice against children.
“The AFP through the AFPHRO will untiringly work with you as we pursue our common interest to uphold children’s rights,” Colonel Nacnac said.
The AFP is continuously enhancing its efforts in Internal Security Operations so that the CPP-NPA-NDF’S repeated use of minors to actively participate in conflicts to advance their struggles could be terminated.
“We will remain steadfast in our mission to achieve complete victory against the CPP-NPA-NDF that continues to exploit and put the lives of innocent people especially our children at risk. The AFP joins the UN and UNICEF as well as other organizations in promoting human rights and upholding the dignity of every person,” the AFP Chief of Staff General Gilbert I. Gapay said.
General Gapay also reiterated his previous call for unity among organizations. “We are once again calling for cooperation to shield vulnerable members of our society especially the youth from being taken advantage of by the CPP-NPA-NDF. Your AFP will not let these terrorist groups to waste our youth’s great potential as productive members of society,” General Gapay said.
