CPP-NPA-NDF Underground Recruitment of Under-age Warriors in the Philippines during the COVID-19 Pandemic
By ARLYN JANE C. PAYAO
Teacher III
Butuan Central Elementary School
The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) is trying to recruit and radicalize more members. A former rebel said, “comparable to an octopus with many tentacles”.
Republic Act 11188, the “Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act,” declared children as “zones of peace,” which aims to protect children in situations of armed conflict from all forms of violence. Abuse and violence such as recruiting children into the armed government forces and other armed groups.
The involvement or recruitment of children under the age of 18 in an armed force or group other than the national armed forces and the use of children under the age of 18 to actively participate in combat is a crime under Paragraph 24, Section 4C., Article 3 of the IHL.
From the encounter on September 8, 2021, in San Fernando, Bukidnon, three youths were arrested who were members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). This is concrete evidence of the said group that they continue violating the rights of children.
According to Brawner Jr., the three young minors were fortunate that government troops rescued them from the violent path and exploitation of communist terrorists by using them for a violent purpose even at a young age.
People should know that the illegal recruitment of minors in the armed movement is happening in the country, which is a clear violation of the rights of children. Be a good example in the eyes of our children all adults. Let us not harm them but educate them right according to what is truly correct. ###
