BIFF using child-soldiers in Maguindanao – military

The military said on Thursday that the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), who were prevented from entering Maguindanao's Datu Paglas during a firefight last Thursday, were using child soldiers to fight their battles.

The commander of the 33rd Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc, told GMA 7 news program On "24 Oras" that youths with high-caliber weapons were spotted among the ISIS-inspired BIFF.

"Nakita namin sa teliskopyo, meron akong mga snipers. Mga bata. Young-looking na mga kids na akala mo naglalaro lamang," said Cabunoc

Photos allegedly recovered  from a BIFF camp which security forces overran last Tuesday showed several of these armed minors.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it had received reports which suggested that the BIFF and other terrorist groups in Mindanao were recruiting young people through a number of madrasahs or schools.

The commander of the BIFF, identified by the military as Sulaiman Tudon, was believed to be behind the recruitment effort. Tudon had also orchestrated Thursday's foiled attempt to take over the Datu Paglas municipal grounds.

The Armed Forces have condemned the BIFF's use of child soldiers. "Nakakababahala dahil bakit napapayagan ng mga magulang ang kanilang mga anak na umanib sa grupong ISIS-inspired group," declared Cabunoc.

"As much as possible, we avoid confronting them. Pero kung hindi talaga mapigilan, in the thick of battle, kung minsan hindi mo na talaga ma-distinguish kung alin 'yung babae, lalaki o bata,"  AFP Public Affairs Office chief Colonel Noel Detoyato, however, added.

The military had also received reports that the BIFF was offering as much as P100,000 to recruits who had their own firearm. — Margaret Claire Layug/DVM, GMA News