MILF troops undergo orientation for child protection in armed conflicts

To prevent the recruitment and use of minors in armed conflicts, some 4,000 Moro Islamic Liberation Front commanders and troops underwent a series of orientation sessions on the rights and protection of children.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) commended the MILF for its commitment to address the issue and for the steady progress being made in the implementation of the UN-MILF Action Plan to eliminate recruitment and use of children.

“The UN, including UNICEF, will continue to support the MILF in the Plan’s implementation and in ensuring the protection of all children affected by armed conflict in Mindanao,” UNICEF Philippines representative Lotta Sylwander said in a press statement Tuesday.

The UN-MILF Action plan is a key component in ensuring that children in situations of armed conflict are protected.

UNICEF and MILF met Tuesday in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, to highlight the progress being made on the Action Plan.

Signed in 2009, the Action Plan commits the MILF to concrete, time-bound activities pertaining to the prevention of recruitment and use of children as combatants or in supporting roles, the separation of any children under 18 from the command structure, unimpeded access for UN verification, and awareness raising on child rights and child protection for its military rank and file, as well as for MILF communities.

The orientations are currently being carried out across all 31 MILF Base Commands and seven front commands in Mindanao for Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) commanders and troops.

At present, 4,151 BIAF elements from 26 Base Commands and four fronts have received trainings.

It focuses on setting out the roles and responsibilities of MILF military leadership and rank and file when it comes to preventing and addressing the recruitment and use of children, as well as explaining what the sanctions are if they do not comply.

The orientation was also used to raise awareness on child protection, including the definition of a child under International Law, grave violations against children, as well as legal frameworks on child protection.

At the end of the session, the MILF front and base commanders are expected to publicly commit to ensure that no children are associated with their respective commands, and that if there are cases, these children will be separated from the command structure.

In the Philippines, around 30,000 to 50,000 children were estimated to be displaced by armed conflict every year for the past years, of which the majority were in the Mindanao.

UNICEF expressed hope the best interest of children and women are adequately reflected in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law as it remains committed to supporting the transition process working with both the government, MILF, and other key stakeholders in Mindanao.   —Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News