2 minor NPA fighters surrender in Bukidnon
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY: Two minors, both combatants of the New People’s Army (NPA), surrendered to government forces in Bukidnon, the Philippine Army reported on Tuesday.Lt. Sancho Tomaquin Jr. spokesperson of the Army’s 88th Infantry Battalion (88IB) based in Maramag, Bukidnon, identified the young NPA fighters as “Ruffa” and “Job,” both 15 years old.Tomaquin said the minors were regular members of the Guerilla Front Malayag, Sub-Regional Committee 2 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Party Committee.He said the minors surrendered on Monday and confirmed reports the NPA is engaged in the recruitment of children to be part of its fighting force.Ruffa and Job told the Philippine Army a certain “Jun-jun” recruited them under the pretext of hiring them as factory workers in Quezon, Bukidnon.Tomaquin said instead of bringing them to Quezon, a group of armed men took the minors in the hinterlands and prevented them from leaving. They said they were too scared to escape.”Fatigue, hunger and lack of sleep were among the reasons the minors decided to escape and surrender to military authorities,” Tomaquin said.Lt. Col. Christian James Vingno, commanding officer of the 88IB, accused the NPA of violating the International Humanitarian Law for the recruitment and arming of minors.Vingno said the army has taken custody of the two former rebels in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development. They will undergo a stress debriefing program before they are reintegrated to their community. They will also be enrolled in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
Read More
