Family takes "child warrior"

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (February 11, 2009) - Relatives of the 12-year old boy (not 16 as earlier reported) take him into custody Tuesday,February 10, after recuperating from a gunshot wound under the care of Sarangani Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office. His uncles, Abdulbasit Silongan (extreme left), a professor from Cotabato City State Polytechnic College, and Ansari Silongan (extreme right) received the child from Sarangani Vice Governor Steve Solon at a hospital Tuesday, February 10. The relatives promised to send the child to school and provide his necessary assistance. The militarysaid he was a "child warrior" of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front wounded and captured in a December firefight in Maitum, Sarangani. The Commission on Human Rights describes the use of children, individuals below eighteen years of age, as soldiers, as one of the six grave child rights violations identified by the United Nations' Security Council. (Photo by Bon-Bon Quiňo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)