SEIZED. Among the items seized by troops of the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion following a series of encounters with CPP-NPA terrorists in Candoni, Negros Occidental on May 3, 2022. A 16-year-old rebel, who served as a medic, died in one of the firefights. (Photo courtesy of 15th Infantry, Philippine Army)
BACOLOD CITY – Officials of the Philippine Army assailed the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) for recruiting a child combatant whose life was wasted in a clash with government troops in Candoni, Negros Occidental on May 3, 2022.
The fatality, 16-year-old alias “Kisap” and “Boyca”, served as a squad medical officer of the NPA’s South West Front.
Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, on Thursday reiterated that using minors in a senseless armed struggle is a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law.
“We strongly condemn the continuous recruitment of innocent minors by the CPP-NPA terrorists. He was recruited and used by the NPA in their atrocities and hostilities,” Arevalo said in a statement.
Brig. Gen. Leonardo Peña, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, called on parents anew to protect and watch over their children to keep them away from the dangers of society, particularly the false philosophy of the CPP-NPA and its political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF).
“We are dismayed by the wasted life of a youth who was made a child soldier by the CPP-NPA-NDF. They poison the minds of their recruits in a godless organization and meaningless armed struggle to topple down our democratic form of government,” he added.
In the afternoon of May 3, troops of the 15th Infantry Battalion engaged communist rebels in a 15-minute firefight in Sitio Tigmaya, Barangay Gatuslao, resulting in the death of the teenager.
During the clearing operation, they found firearms, ammunition, an anti-personnel mine as well a hand-held commercial radio, a mobile phone, and personal items, among others.
“We will be relentless in our campaign to help and support the national government in its campaign to eradicate and totally end five decades of menace and terroristic activities of the CPP-NPA in the countryside,” Peña said.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The NDF has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973. (PNA)
