Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., commander of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, which covers the Southern Tagalog and Mimaropa regions, strongly condemned the alleged recruitment of “child-warriors” by the communist New People’s Army (NPA). “No form of explanation will justify this dastardly act of putting Filipino minors in harm’s way,” Burgos said. The supposed child-warriors were brought to the attention of the Department of Social Welfare and Development for proper disposition and professional attention, Ternio said. Ternio said the names of the minors were being withheld not only to protect their privacy but also their security from possible NPA retribution. Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, commander of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command, attributed the series of surrenders by NPA rebels to the recent activation of Quezon’s provincial task force to end the local communist armed conflict.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer October 20, 2019 09:00 UTC