The publicity surrounding an 11-year-old communist rebel reported to have surrendered to the Philippines military this month has served as a harsh reminder of the work still to be done to rid the South East Asian country of the scourge of child soldiers.
The boy, referred to in news reports by his nickname Dodong, was recruited aged just six into the New People’s Army (NPA), which has been waging a Maoist insurgency in the southern Philippines for decades.
“He personally witnessed and was involved in laying some improvised explosive device along the highways. He figured in at least six gun battles,” said Philippines army spokesman Major Emmanuel Garcia.
“The NPA are grossly violating the rights of children and subjecting them to dangerous situations,” he added. “People need to know this.”
Requests to interview the boy to verify his story were denied, but IRIN understands he is now in the hands of social workers, who are trying to reunite him with his parents.
More: The New Humanitarians
