Press Release
February 2, 2014

NANCY DENOUNCES BIFF's USE OF CHILD WARRIORS
...urges BIFF to stop using children as human shields

Senator Nancy Binay condemned the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters' (BIFF) use of child warriors in the conflict between the military and the breakaway rebel group in Maguindanao.

According to the military, at least three child warriors were among the 53 people killed in the week-long fighting in Maguindanao province.

The children, aged 15 to 16, were seen wearing fatigue uniforms with BIFF markings and carrying firearms.

"To use children as combatants is unacceptable and clearly a gross violation of Philippine and international humanitarian laws," Binay said.

"The BIFF is robbing these children not only of their rights but their future as well," she added.

Several pictures of child combatants, which were found in a BIFF camp overrun by the military last week, are now on the Internet.

"In the pictures, at least four children were carrying firearms, and that is disturbing," she said.

The lady senator appealed to the BIFF to immediately release remaining child warriors in their ranks, who she feared are being used as human shields. She likewise asked the parents not to allow their children be recruited by any armed groups and instead seek the help of authorities to prevent any further child abuse.

"Umaapela po ako sa BIFF na palayain at isuko sa mga otoridad ang mga batang ito. Pati na rin sa mga magulang na bantayang maigi ang kanilang mga anak upang hindi ma-recruit bilang child-warriors at human shields sa anumang armadong labanan," Binay added.

She also urged the military to immediately turn over to the DSWD and other authorities child warriors whom they will intercept or capture.

The lady senator wanted these child soldiers to undergo psychological debriefing so that they can have their lives back as children and teenagers.

"These children are being robbed of their childhood as well as subjected to psychological stress and trauma. They should be in school and enjoying their youth--and not be used as pawns to promote unwarranted violence," she said.

In war-torn regions, child warriors are used as human shields, spies, messengers, fighters and sex slaves.

"Under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, we have an obligation to prevent those who have not reached 18 years old from taking part in the hostilities," she stressed.

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