The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has complained to the United Nations that the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) has been recruiting minors to join the armed struggle against the government.
Col. Alejando Nacnac, head of the AFP-Human Rights Office (HRO), said they already provided the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator the list of child warriors of the NPA which numbers to 544 minors since 2010.
“These so-called child warriors were used by the said group in its armed activities. The data on minors being employed by the CPP-NPA-NDF for armed encounters dates back to 2010,” said Nacnac.
“The number is expected to rise as several military units continue to conduct inquiry on the matter,” he added.
The official said copies of the report have been furnished to UNICEF and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for immediate action as part of the effort to to protect children from child abuse, exploitation and discrimination.
He said the same report has already been submitted to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to seek appropriate action.
“The report 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,” said Nacnac. (Aaron Recuenco)
