By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-6 slammed the continued recruitment of minors for armed conflict.
In a statement released Tuesday evening, the DSWD-6 “condemns in strongest terms the exposure to armed conflict of five minors who were rescued during the encounter which ensued Saturday.”
The Philippine Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade earlier lambasted the New People’s Army for the latter’s continued recruitment of minors.
The Army was referring to five minors who were rescued at an alleged rebel training ground at Sitio Anoy, Barangay Cabalaunan, Miagao, Iloilo.
The encounter between suspected NPAs and members of the 61st Infantry Battalion led to the death of a rebel and capture of 11 others, including the five minors.
The DSWD-6 underscored that recruiting, indoctrinating, and exposing them to risks are not in their best interest.
“It defeats the very fundamentals of the rights of children – that they be given a home, protected and allowed to explore their potentials free from harm within their homes and in the society,” the statement added.
The DSWD-6 confirmed that the minors are being assisted for their psychosocial well-being.
“We, along with our partner agencies, will ensure that they age being ushered back to normalcy,” it added.
The DSWD-6 was firm in saying that minors cannot be recruited by any armed groups, more so, exposed to hostilities and violence.
The agency also called on the public to remain vigilant amid the COVID-19 crisis for the protection of children.
