AFP: 14-year-old girl, 5 other NPA rebels surrender to govt

The Armed Forces on Monday reported that a 14-year-old girl and five other self-confessed members of the New People's Army (NPA) surrendered to authorities in Davao City. Officials of the military’s Civil Relations Service said Jean Bukayla, 14, and her five companions yielded after supposedly realizing that they were conned into joining the fight against government troops. "This 14-year-old girl said she was persuaded to join the NPA because the rebels promised to help her in her studies. Instead, she experienced numerous difficulties she had to endure in the mountains," said Brig. Gen. Jaime Buenaflor, commander of the military's Civil Relations Service. Buenaflor said Bukayla and her five companions surrendered last March 2 to Davao City authorities, bringing to 127 the total number of rebels who have yielded this year. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officials earlier claimed that they received information that minors have been lured into the rebel campaign against government troops. Buenaflor denounced the NPA and the its political wing, the Communist Party of the Philippines, for taking Bukayla as a fighter. "The AFP condemns the CPP/NPA for recruiting children and exposing them to violence and danger. This is a gross violation of international laws protecting the rights of the children from exploitation," said Buenaflor. Buenaflor said the girl’s five companions, whom he did not identify, also allegedly cited the empty promises of the NPA as among the reasons why decided to turn themselves over to the government. "According to the other former rebels, the CPP/NPA promised them and their families of assistance if they join the movement. The assistance never came and their lives became more miserable," added Buenaflor. Leaders of the NPA and the CPP have yet to issue a statement on the matter as of posting time.-GMANews.TV