Batang Hitman
(Child Hitman)

Reporter: Jiggy Manicad In a secluded mountain in Abra province, children are free to roam and explore the vast countryside, but some of them are having a hard time running as they struggle to heave their AK-47 automatic rifle up their shoulders. They are called the Child Warriors of Abra. They are forced to learn to aim at targets faster than they can write their own name in return for a chance to be fed and schooled by political clans they consider as modern-day lords. At their almost innocent age, they are made to witness, understand and accept the culture of violence. They are trained to protect these high ranking men from the threats in the province as the latter disregards the children’s right to live in a free world. They act as members of a private army backed up by politicians’ desire to stay in power. Through time, they have felt more as tools of destruction than boys with dreams and hopes for a better future. Jiggy Manicad discovers the life of the child warriors in their improvised world covered with secrecy and shame as they lead a role of assassins. A 16-year-old child detailed his experience as a hired killer as he struggles to adapt to his surroundings filled with terror. Jiggy tries to resurface the child’s forgotten innocence through his interaction with him. Trying to see through his eyes, Reporters Notebook can see a man-made illusion of fake freedom which the politicians have installed on them, making machines out of the frail and waif-like built. They are taught with a different kind of lesson with the group they so belong, embraced the fundamentals of fighting back in a battle that they have learned to consider theirs. Sadly enough, they have been trapped in this world and the chances of getting out is slim.