Use of child warriors in armed conflict deplorable: CHR exec

“The Commission strongly denounces the use of child soldiers in armed conflict. Nothing can justify this deplorable practice,” CHR spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement. (File Photo: Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The Commission on Human Rights has ‘strongly’ condemned the use of child soldiers in armed conflict, vowing to launch an investigation into reports that a minor allegedly used by the New People’s Army (NPA) was reportedly killed in an encounter with government forces last week.

“The Commission strongly denounces the use of child soldiers in armed conflict. Nothing can justify this deplorable practice,” CHR spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement.

Authorities identified the minor as 16-year-old Litboy Talja Binongcasan, a Grade Six pupil in Sitio Sioan Elementary School in Barangay Malinao, Gingoog City.

“We send our deepest sympathy to the family of Litboy. CHR shall investigate this case to bring it to its just resolution,” De Guia said.

Citing the International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, the CHR official said 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,” she said.

She reminded all armed groups to uphold the welfare and rights of children at all times, stressing that “putting children in the battlefield imperils and endangers them.”

“Even if they survive armed encounters, the psychological and mental impact can be lifelong. Litboy was still in his development years and should be focusing on honing his potentials so he can pursue his goals and dreams but his life was snuffed out and can no longer be taken back,” she added.

Constant vigilance

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar also extended condolences to Litboy’s family and urged the public to be vigilant against the recruitment of child warriors by armed groups.

Andanar described exploiting children to forward ideological goals as “highly immoral for any state and non-state actors”.

“We would like to extend our condolences to the family of Litboy for this unfortunate event. We would also like to request for the family of Litboy and for everyone to be more vigilant and attentive to the activities your children take part in,” Andanar said in a separate statement.

“We ask you to do your part in order to halt and prevent any further exploitation and recruitment of our children by the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA and other insurgent groups,” he added.

Andanar assured that the Duterte administration will undertake measures to prevent more minors from being recruited by armed groups.

“The government will continue to fight for our children’s rights and it will do all it can to protect and prevent them from being caught up in armed conflict as we pursue peace and security for our country,” Andanar said.

The CPP-NPA has been listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte bared that he has directed Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to talk peace with CPP founding chair Jose Maria Sison.

“Now this is the first time I will reveal it. I’m sending Secretary Bello. Komunista naman talaga ito siya (He’s really a communist) so he should go there, talk to them, and… I cannot talk about it…but I’m sending him back to Sison and talk to him,” he said.

On Mar. 18, 2019, Duterte terminated the national government’s negotiating peace panel led by Bello, following the stalled peace negotiations with the CPP’s political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF).

Duterte formally terminated the peace talks with the communist rebels by signing of Proclamation 360 on Nov. 23, 2017 following the string of attacks staged by the NPA against the government forces.