By Joseph Jubelag
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The military has assailed the New People’s Army (NPA) for recruiting minors to join the underground group as armed combatants.
Brig. Gen. Roberto Ancan, commander of 1002nd Infantry Brigade, said the NPA rebels have been deceiving minor recruits into joining their ranks as combatants.
He said a minor NPA combatant was killed in an encounter with government troops in Barangay Astorga, Davao del Sur last April 22.
The military said 15-year-old Rondi Ondo was killed after he joined the group of NPA guerillas who figured in an encounter with government troops in Barangay Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
Ondo, a resident of Makilala, North Cotabato was killed together with NPA rebel leader, Julito Pueblas, 62, also a resident of Barangay Old Balatukan, Makilala, North Cotabato.
Troops recovered an M-16 rifle from the possession of Ondo.
“We are saddened by the death of a minor who was duped by the Communist rebels to join their ranks,” Ancan said.
Ancan said an NPA amazon identified as Jessa Lumana was also captured during the clash. She was turned over to the Sta. Cruz police station for the filing of appropriate charges against her.
Ancan has urged other minors who had joined the NPA to abandon the underground group and return to the folds of the law.
He said the military was willing to rescue and save minors who had been duped and coerced to join the communist rebel group.