PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

10TH INFANTRY (AGILA) DIVISION, PHILIPPINE ARMY

Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan, Davao City
Landline No.: (082) 235-1041

Press Release 20 September 2010

Another minor rescued in Sarangani Province

Troops from 73rd Infantry Battalion rescued on Saturday, September

18, at Sitio Kisoy, Barangay Anggas, Alabel, Sarangani Province another
minor from the hands of the CPP/NPA. The 15-year-old boy is being used
by the armed group as guide and courier in their tactical operations in the
area.

“Buboy”, not his real name, was only 12 when he was first utilized by
the communists to carry supplies intended for the New People’s Army. The
boy was lured to join the armed group because of a promise that he would
receive a regular allowance which he would use to support his family. For
three years now that he was with the NPA, he was already involved in two
armed skirmishes with the government troops in Barangay Datal Anggas of
said municipality. His parents admitted that they never knew that their son
was already recruited by the NPA.

On Saturday at 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon, patrolling government

troops spotted “Buboy” in the company of a.k.a. Arnold, a member of Team
1, Primera Squad, Platoon Mazda of the NPA under Guerilla Front 71, who
asked the boy to guide him in going to an undisclosed place. Sensing the
presence of the patrolling government troops along their way, a.k.a. Arnold
jumped into a cliff to avoid apprehension leaving behind “Buboy” in the
state of confusion.

Prior to this incident, civilian residents reported to the military the

presence of armed NPA members roaming around the civilian communities
to recruit new members. They also complained that the communists were
targeting minors who could easily be persuaded to join the underground
movement. “Buboy” was one of these recruits.

Just more than a week ago, military personnel belonging to the 84th
Infantry Battalion rescued a 17-year-old girl who was also a subject of the
NPA for recruitment. “Rose”, not her real name, revealed that she was only
15 when the NPA started to give her lectures and trainings on the handling
of assault rifles and caliber 38 revolver. After the rescue, the girl was turned
over by the military to the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) for proper disposition. So far, a total of 15 minors had been
rescued from the hands of the CPP/NPA this year including “Buboy”.

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines, as a signatory to

the Geneva Convention, has the responsibility to ensure the protection of
children affected by war. It has promulgated Republic Act 7610 or Child
Protection Act, which states that, children shall not be the object of attack
and shall be entitled to special respect, shall not be recruited by the Armed
Forces or other armed groups nor allowed to take part in the fighting, or
used as guides, couriers, or spies.

Lieutenant Colonel Edgardo De Leon, Commander of the 73rd

Infantry Battalion based in Maasin, Sarangani Province denounced the
CPP/NPA’s blatant violation of International Humanitarian Law by recruiting
“Buboy” to join the NPA and putting his life in danger. “If the CPP/NPA
could not adhere to the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on
Respect to Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law
(CARHRIHL) to which it is a signatory, at least it should be responsible
enough to respect the human rights of young and innocent children by
allowing them to live and grow in a peaceful community,” Lt. Col. De Leon
said.

On that same day that he was rescued, “Buboy” was returned by the
government troops to his parents.

Released by:

LTC MEDEL M AGUILAR PA

Public Information Officer
Email add: dpao10id@yahoo.com