MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights on Sunday condemned the use of child soldiers in armed conflict following the death of a 16-year-old boy who was allegedly a soldier of the New People’s Army (NPA), the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said Sunday. Jacqueline de Guia reminded armed groups that the use of child soldiers constitutes a war crime. Authorities earlier identified the slain NPA soldier as Litboy Talja Binongcasan, a sixth grade student in Barangay Malinao, Gingoog City. CHR said Binongcasan died in an encounter between the NPA and the 23rd Infantry Battalion (IB) last December 2. CHR said they will investigate the case as they extended condolences to Binangcosan’s family.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 08, 2019 06:56 UTC