Soldiers cleared in alleged maltreatment of child warriors

MANILA, Philippines - The Army’s 6th Infantry Division has cleared two North Cotabato-based battalions of allegations that they maltreated three child warriors employed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said this was the result of an inquiry conducted after the United Nations published a report that members of the 7th and 40th Infantry Battalions violated the children’s rights.

“Upon learning about the information, the 6th Infantry Division conducted an inquiry into the allegation. Per initial results, the allegation is not true,” Burgos said in a press briefing yesterday in Camp Aguinaldo.

He said the 7th and 40th Infantry Battalions did not arrest any child soldier last year, the period covered by the UN report.

“The report seems to be unsubstantiated. It needs more clarification. We need accurate details because these will aid us in our investigation,” Burgos said. 

The 7th Infantry Battalion is based in Pikit while the 40th Infantry Battalion headquarters is in Aleosan. Both are being supervised by the 6th Infantry Division.

According to the UN report released last Saturday, children have been detained by the AFP for alleged links with insurgent groups like the MILF and the New People’s Army (NPA).

The report claimed that members of the 7th and 40th Infantry Battalions detained and blindfolded three MILF child warriors to obtain confessions.

The UN report also recorded 12 children killed and 40 injured from January to December 2009 due to armed conflicts.

Burgos said they are trying their best to avoid having children as collateral damage.

However, he admitted that it is hard to differentiate a regular warrior from a child soldier during a firefight.

AFP Civil Relations Service Commander Brig. Gen. Francisco Cruz Jr. said efforts are being undertaken to promote the welfare of child combatants.

“We cooperate with other government agencies and organizations to trace these child combatants’ families or guardians, and in finding the best solutions congenial to their rehabilitation,” Cruz said.

The military claimed that from 2000-2006, a total of 925 children, including child warriors and those caught in crossfire, were turned over to the Social Welfare department.