Explain kids’ presence in raided offices, militant organizations asked

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines — Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate and lawyer Neri Colmenares should explain why there were children in the offices of militant organizations in this city that were raided by government forces on Oct. 31.

Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said Zarate, Colmenares and the other leaders of militant organizations were silent on the issue.

Arevalo said 14 children were rescued in simultaneous raids on the offices of Anakpawis, Bayan-Negros, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Gabriela and National Federation of Sugarcane Workers in Barangays Bata, 33 and Taculing.

Col. Romeo Baleros, Negros Occidental police director, said New People’s Army rebels could be indoctrinating and training the children to become combatants.

Baleros said 41 people were arrested and 32 firearms and various types of explosives were recovered in the raids.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group filed charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosives against those arrested.

“High-value” targets John Milton Lozande, Albert dela Cerna, Noli Rosales, Proceso Quiatchon, Cherry Catalogo, Karina dela Cerna, Romulo Bitoon and his wife Mermalyn, Mary Ann Krueger, Danilo Tabura and Roberto Lachica, who are officials of the militant groups, were among those charged.

Capt. Cenon Pancito III, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman, said Lozande, Dela Cerna, Rosales, Quiatchon and Catalogo also face qualified human trafficking charges.