CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines — Members of the Philippine Army in Northern Samar on Thursday rescued a 12-year-old boy from the clutches of the New People's Army (NPA) that used him as its courier.
Brigadier General Oscar Lacurom of the 803rd Infantry Brigade said the boy was found at Barangay De Tubang of Silvino Lobos town in Northern Samar, carrying weapons and ammunition hidden in a sack half-full of rice.
Uncovered from the sack were 20 rounds of 5.56-mm ammunitions, three cartridges of 7.62-mm linked for M60 machine gun, and two cartridges.
The NPA has been conducting massive recruitment of children in the province, to offset loses in operations and personnel caused by the continuing combat operations of the military in Eastern Visayas over the past three weeks.
Major General Raul Farnacio, commander of the 8th Infantry Division, told The Philippine Star and The Freeman that the rescued 12-year-old boy was among the 30 children reported to have been recruited and trained by the leaders of the CPP/NPA operating in the hinterlands of Mapanas and Palapag towns in Northern Samar.
"The boy was immediately turned over to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office in Northern Samar for interviews, debriefing and medical check-up.
“Dapat rin kasuhan ang mga magulang ng mga batang pinapayagan magamit ang kanilang mga anak sa ganitong underground movement na walang pang kamuwang-muwang sa mundo," Farnacio said, as he urged local government units to help address this problem of NPA recruitment of children to join the armed movement.
"I hope this will be stopped immediately, with the help of the community, parents and local officials. We have to preserve the future of these children and help address the issues concerning poverty in areas, especially in NPA-infested places,” said Farnacio.
Military intelligence community earlier confirmed that the newly recruited children are used as spies, messengers, cooks and couriers of ammunition and other supplies to rebel camps, while undergoing indoctrination of political ideology, and training in the use of artilleries and fighting.
“Children should be prohibited to participate in any hostilities nor they be used to carry supplies that could put their lives in danger,” Lacurom said in separate statement.
The military in Northern Samar are now conducting a thorough investigation and intelligence buildup to find out and rescue the other 29 children reported to have been recruited by the NPA.