Army warns public on NPA recruitment, brainwashing of minors
NPA warriors in a rebel camp.
Photo from NPA website
The Philippine Army has now refocused its efforts in the barangays following reports of massive recruitment of minors here by the communist terrorists New People's Army (NPA).
Citing solid intelligence reports from the field, Army Captain Lowen Gil Marquez told The News Today (TNT) that disturbing information verified of late confirmed aggressive efforts of the communist group to enlist children for its armed battle against the government.
In fact, "brainwashing" cum indoctrination reportedly starts now at the early age of five to seven years old while eight year-olds are reportedly exposed to various weapons used in the armed battle against government troopers. The children are taught the basics of the guns mostly armalite and assault rifles with the message that such must be used primarily against the police and military and to other perceived "enemies."
By age eight to 17 years old, Captain Marquez said the young recruits are then exposed to armed conflict and even used as shields or in the forefront of the battle.
"This is truly deplorable and in blatant violation of International Human Rights Law where specific prohibitions are clearly stipulated against use of the children in armed conflict and even propaganda," Captain Marquez said. "They are getting desperate and so these are nothing but desperate moves that include brainwashing at a very young age."
Areas cited by Marquez with NPA recruitment of minors are Iloilo southern towns of Miag-ao and Tubungan and Second District town of Alimodian. In Aklan, the towns of Leso and Buruanga were confirmed to have been visited by the communist terrorist-rebels while Calatrava and Escalante were identified in Negros Occidental.
In Antique, towns of Valderrama, Lauaan and San Remegio were frequented by the NPAs in the past weeks alongside the town of Maayon, Dumarao and Tapaz in the Province of Capiz.
"This is for the continuity of their futile armed revolution," Captain Marquez added.
Meantime, elections may be over yet for winning candidates in areas with known presence of the communist rebels, election-related harassments of the group continues.
Army elements remain vigilant as reports came in of recurring demands from the NPAs on uncollected extortion money cum "revolutionary taxes." Captain Marquez lambasted the communist hierarchy for said "anti-people, oppressive" actions.
TNT further learned that winning candidates also have to contend with yet another planned extortion move of the communist rebels to extract some 30% of the government funds allocated for pro-poor livelihood and infrastructure projects.