Peace adviser slams NPA recruitment of youth combatants

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. on Thursday slammed the Communist Party of the Philippines -New People's Army (CPP-NPA) for allegedly recruiting children to become combatants in guerilla wars.

According to Galvez, the "devious and inhumane" tactic of the CPP-NPA "is destroying the future of our children and the hope of our nation."

"Instead of inspiring them to be upright, peaceful and law-abiding citizens, the insurgents are molding them into child warriors with the sole purpose of fighting the government,” Galvez said in a statement.

Galvez issued the remark after government troops rescued a 14-year old member of the CPP-NPA in Misamis Occidental.

Accounts from the military said that  the rescued victim, "Bentong", joined the guerrilla front Sendong of the Western Mindanao Regional Party at 13 years old.

“By using these child warriors to fight in their war with the government, the Reds have shown they have no dignity nor compassion to speak of. Imagine, these children should be holding pens and books, but instead are being trained to shoot rifles and kill people,” Galvez said.

The recruitment of children is a violation of the International Humanitarian Law, Galvez said.—Joahna Lei Casilao/Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News