CAMP PANACAN, Davao City - Army slams Organized Crime Group – New People’s Army after discovering that one of the casualties in the encounter last Sunday in Paquibato was a minor.
10th Infantry Division identified the casualty as Sammer Dayag, 17 years old, a resident of Brgy. Lampianao, Calinan, Davao City who was recruited in 2009 at the age of 13.
On August 26, at around 5:45 a.m., an encounter erupted after rebels held civilians as human shields to gain entry at the 69th Infantry Battalion Cafgu detachment in Sitio Mangani, Brgy. Tapak, Paquibato District. Five rebels were reported killed but only two cadavers were recovered from the area to include Dayag.
10th ID Spokesperson Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza lambasted the criminal group in arming a minor and engaging him to criminalities. “This is not the first time juveniles are used and forced by notorious group to join hostilities. It is a gross defiance to his right as a child and to Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL)”, he said.
Under CARHRIHL, Part III, Article 2, Paragraph 24 in particular, states that children have the right to protection, care, and a home, especially against physical and mental abuse, forced labor, homelessness, and other similar forms of oppression and exploitation.
According to Paniza this was violated by the OCG - NPA. He added that they not only put the life of the child in grave danger, but they sent him to his death. He condemns the group saying “despite being one of the signatory parties of CARHRIHL, still they continue to defy their self-imposed agreement that they have signed for”.
According to Paniza, most rebels are recruited at an early age because of their oblivious nature. “They are often held in threatening situation to easily force them to take part in armed struggle”, he added.
Paniza cited Republic Act No. 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) as promulgated on June 17, 1992, was created for the protection of children. Under it is Article 10 or Children in Situations of Armed Conflict under section 2, clearly states that children shall not be the object of attack and shall be entitled to special respect.
It also mandates that children shall be protected from any form of threat, inhumane or degrading treatment. Furthermore, they shall not be recruited to become members of the armed groups nor be allowed to take part in fighting.
“He should be sent to school, not to involve him in a fire fight. Instead of guiding him for his bright future, they led him to his destruction”, the spokesman added.
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