MANILA, Philippines?The New People?s Army (NPA) does not recruit child warriors or brutalize children caught up in its struggle with government forces, a leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on self-exile in the Netherlands said yesterday.

The CPP was reacting to a United Nations report that included the NPA among armed groups around the world ?that subject children to brutal violence, such as killings, maiming, rape, and other forms of sexual assault. The two other groups were the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which has issued a denial, and the Abu Sayyaf.

CPP official Fidel Agcaoili said the NPA ?strictly abides by the policy of the CPP against the recruitment as combatants of children below 18.?

The NPA also protects children from physical and mental abuse as provided for under the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, one of the documents guiding peace negotiations with the government, he added.

The 51-page report was prepared by Radhika Coomaraswamy, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon?s special representative for children in armed conflict. The UN Security Council will hold a debate on the matter this month.