Army accused of abducting, presenting 14-year-old boy as NPA child-soldier

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—A non-government organization working for children has accused the military of abducting a 14-year-old boy in Magpet, North Cotabato, and later presented him to be a child combatant of the New People’s Army.

The Davao City-based Children’s Rehabilitation Center Southern Mindanao said “Balong”—not the real name—was taken into military custody while wandering in a forested area of Barangay Bantak in Magpet on March 24.

The boy was later presented by the 57th Infantry Battalion as an NPA combatant, who had surrendered to authorities in Kidapawan City, also in North Cotabato.

“Military officials said that Balong have been active for two years in the communist movement,” Rius Valle, CRC advocacy officer, said.

“(The CRC) condemns the 57th IB for blatant abduction and branding of (Balong),” Valle added.

Lt. Col. Nilo Vinluan, 57th IB commander, said the military had proof that Balong was indeed a child soldier.

“He can even memorize and sing the NPA song,” Vinluan said by text message.

But Ruiz said the reality was that Balong was a graduating student of Bangkal Elementary School, also in Magpet.

He said the CRC could not simply believe the military’s line that the boy was a child soldier because he was in school for the past two years.

“On March 24, his elder brother showed up saying that he just got the form-137 of “Balong” from Barangay Guinoyuran Elementary School in Bukidnon in compliance with the child’s requirements for graduation. “‘Balong” who transferred to Bangkal Elementary School last S.Y. 2012-2013 is graduating this March 27, 2014 as Grade 6 pupil,” Valle said.

He said the boy’s grade 6 adviser had his complete class records.

Vinluan said Balong could have attended classes the past few years but that did not mean he was not a child soldier of the NPA.

He said aside from memorizing the NPA song, Balong also knew the front committee he belonged to “and can even identify the commanders and vice commanders of the group.”

But CRC said another puzzle in the Balong case was the military’s failure to present him to his family as soon as he was taken into custody.

“This is not just a branding case but a case of abduction as for a very long time, the military failed to turn him over to his family or assigned authorities, and even his whereabouts was only known to the family after March 24, 2014,” Valle said.

The boy is now under custody of the Magpet Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) but CRC said it did not erase the fact that he was kidnapped by the military.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer learned that Antonia Fernandez, Magpet social welfare chief, had Balong attend his graduation rite and there were plans of turning him over to his relatives.

CRC said kidnapping minors “is one concrete example of the desperate actions of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in continuing its 2nd Phase of Oplan Bayanihan.”

“Abduction is one of the six grave child’s rights violations defined by the United Nation (UN). They are putting the children’s lives on the line. This is one clear violation of the children’s right to protection” Valle said.

Aside from allegedly kidnapping Balong, Valle said the 57th IB also used children as guides and human shields in its operation.

“For the months of March to July 2012, elements of the 57th IB used four children as guides and human shield in military operations in two separate incidents (in Magpet),” Valle said.

He said CRC wanted an investigation into the ill practices of the 57th IB and that those responsible for should be dealt with accordingly.

In the meantime, Valle said the 57th IB should clear Balong and “retract its false public statement.”

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