MILF "child warrior" in gov't. custody

By SERAFIN RAMOS JR.MAITUM

Sarangani (January 24, 2009) – An armed "child warrior" of theMoro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), wounded and captured in a recent firefight, has been taken to custody by the provincial social welfareand development office (PSWDO), a military officer said.

"The boy is recuperating and has been turned over to PSWDO for proper care," said Lt. Col.

Ferdinand Budeng, commander of the 28th Infantry Battalion based in Maitum."The capture of the child warrior belies the claim of the MILF that they are not using children in combat operations," Budeng said.

The 16-year old MILF combatant (name withheld) was captured when 28thIB troops under 1st Lt. Roberto Maduli overran December 16 an MILF105th base command outpost in sitio Kadapukan, barangay Tuanadatu.

The boy who was wounded in his right thigh was armed with a caliber 45pistol with two magazines and 14 rounds of ammunition.

The "child warrior" was immediately brought to the Maitum Emergency Hospital for initial treatment then brought to a hospital in General Santos City for further treatment.

While in General Santos City, he was under the care of the PSWDO and given medical assistance up to his discharge with counseling for him and his family. His rehabilitation after treatment is still understudy by the PSWDO.

In a press statement issued September 18, 2008, the Commission on Human Rights condemned "the use of children as soldiers by any armed groups."

"Whether the recruitment be voluntary, by undue influence, by reasons of revenge and especially if done so by force, the use of children to carry arms is a violation of the right of the child to be free from harm from abuse and exploitation and from forced labor," CHRchairperson Leila de Lima said.

The CHR chair said "one of the most harrowing vestiges of any war is the involvement of children as soldiers."

"The Commission on Human Rights has received reports from the media and other partners in the civil society that Non-State Armed Groups,like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, have resorted to the use ofchildren, individuals below eighteen years of age, as soldiers," deLima said.

"Recruitment of children in armed groups is one of the sixgrave child rights violations identified by the United Nations'Security Council."

The CHR said "such an abominable practice must be put to stop."

"Your children's place should never be in the trenches of war-ridden fields but in schools where they can develop and actualize as complete individuals living lives with dignity and humanity," according to the CHR press statement.

In a series of encounters when the boy was captured, government troops overran MILF outposts manned by some 75 lawless MILF group (LMG). The 28th IB seized the "LMG satellite camp with 20 bunkers, five outpostsand running trenches," Budeng disclosed.

"There was no casualty on government side while enemy blood scattered at the camp and in their withdrawal route," Budeng added. (SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE)