CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental (PIA)--The Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-10 recently confirmed findings of Human Rights Violation, specifically on Grave Child Rights Violation (GCRV) against the New People’s Army (NPA) in Misamis Oriental.
An unnamed partner of the CHR-10, reported two cases of CRGV to the CHR, stating that the members of the NPA in Misamis Oriental recruited minors from the municipalities of Claveria and Lagonglong, who surrendered to the 58th Infantry “Dimalulupig” Battalion (58IB).
Alias “May,” 16, from Lagonglong, voluntarily surrendered to 58IB after starvation and failed promises by the armed group last November 2020, prior to recruitment, she was studying in a public school at Lagonglong, but was unable to finish her studies due to the deception of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs), who promised her a better future for her family if she joined their armed struggle.
Meanwhile, just days after the surrender of Alias May, a group of 12 NPA rebels surrendered on November 8, 2020, due to hardship and hunger, eight of whom were still minors at the time of their recruitment.
"The minor victims decided to return to the mainstream and surrendered to the government in November 2020 as their lives became unbearable being part of the rebel group where their lives and safety were not assured, instead of exercising their rights as children, they served in the NPA as squad leaders, medics, supply officers, and members, all of whom held dangerous positions and performed life-threatening tasks," said 58IB Commanding Officer Lt Col Ricky L Canatoy.
As stated in the resolution by the CHR-10, the legal basis for grave child rights violations lies in relevant international laws such as international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and international criminal law.
The recruitment or use of children is the first identified GCRV. The recruitment and use of children in armed conflict have been incorporated into the domestic laws and considered to be grave child rights violations.
As an active member of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the UN Country Task Force for Monitoring and Reporting (CTFRM) of grave child rights violations, the CHR-10 has reported the two cases of GCRV to the Child Rights Center of CHR. (58IB/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)
