MANILA, Philippines – Government forces rescued a teenage boy who had just been recruited by the New People’s Army (NPA) following a clash between troops and communist rebels in Barangay Bacong in Tulunan, North Cotabato the other day, military reports said yesterday.
Maj. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman for the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, said the boy, along with 18-year-old NPA rebel Alex Tamles, was taken into custody by the military after a three-hour clash that also left a soldier dead.
Tamles and the teenager, who was not identified in the report, are both residents of Barangay Bulol Baoong, Tulunan. They were brought to the headquarters of the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion in Makilala town, North Cotabato.
Cabangbang said the rescue of the two young NPA recruits confirmed that rebels continue to use children in combat, exposing them to grave danger.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, in partnership with non-government organizations, recently launched a project to benefit children victims of armed conflict in Mindanao this Christmas season.
The project dubbed, “Tulong Para sa Batang MindaNOW,” aims to bring cheer to the 40,000 children caught in the Mindanao armed conflict, especially this Christmas season, Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral said.
The DSWD, together with the Metro Manila Mayors Spouses and the Ricky Reyes Foundation Inc. (RRFI), would set up drop-off centers in all public elementary schools in Metro Manila to receive gifts for the Mindanao children starting Nov. 30.
Beauty expert Ricky Reyes encouraged the public to give non-violent toys, dolls, activity books, coloring pens, and school supplies, among others. – James Mananghaya, Helen Flores