Gov't cautioned against elevating to UN child warrior issue

MANILA, Philippines – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) international stature will get a boost when the government brings the issue of combatant children before the United Nations, according to a former human rights commissioner.

Speaking to reporters at the weekly Balitaan sa Rembrandt hotel in Quezon City, lawyer Nasser Marohomsalic said the government will give the MILF a chance to present the alleged human rights violations of the military at the UN.

“The UN will conduct its investigation and will get the side of the MILF and that will be a good opportunity for the MILF to also raise human rights violation before the UN,” he said.

“In my personal opinion the move of the government would boost the international stature of the MILF.”

Marohomsalic urged the government to push with the plan to present before the UN the MILF’s use of children in combat.

“The issue must now be brought before the UN so that the issue on human rights violations on both sides will be resolved,” he said.

On the other hand, MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said they would be glad to clarify before the UN allegations that it has been using children in combat.

“For if given the chance, the MILF can refute before the United Nations this oft-recycled issue of the front using children to fight government forces in Mindanao,” he said.  – Perseus Echeminada, John Unson