The Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) has ordered the Joint Task Force Central to file charges against those responsible for allegedly recruiting minors into the New People’s Army (NPA).

This follows the arrest of two minor combatants wounded in a firefight in Sultan Kudarat.

The military identified the two child combatants as alias “Digbay,” 16, and alias “Mario,” 17. Digbay reportedly sustained a gunshot wound in his right shin while Mario suffered a spinal injury. They were brought to the Camp Siongco Station Hospital.

WestMinCom said the two were arrested during a follow-up operation in Kalamansig town after troops from the 37th Infantry Battalion encountered the communist guerillas on June 19, 2025 that resulted in the death of a soldier and three rebels.

The military said the two wounded child combatants were left behind by comrades who fled.

Seized from the minors arrested were an M16 rifle and three magazines.

WestMinCom Commander, Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, denounced the continued recruitment of minors by the NPA.

“The employment of child warriors is a blatant violation of the International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law. It perpetuates the cycle of violence by normalizing the exploitation of the young and blurring moral boundaries in conflict zones. Hence, I have directed JTF Central to urgently initiate the filing of cases against the recruiters and ensure those responsible for these violations are held accountable and put behind bars," Nafarrete said.

WestMinCom urged the public to remain vigilant and report any signs of child recruitment or suspicious activity that lure the youth into joining the NPA.