Philippines approves bill against use of children in conflict
Thu, 2 Jun 2011 14:41 GMT
Members of the Naval Operations Group take part in a demonstration during a beach drill inside the Philippine Navy headquarters in Sangley Point, Ternate town, Cavite city March 9, 2011. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco
Bangkok (AlertNet) – The Philippines’ House of Representatives on Monday approved a bill criminalising the use of children in armed conflict, the Philippine Star reported.
The bill “seeks the prosecution of those responsible for child rights violations in these conflicts. Children have to be provided relief, protection and rehabilitation in such situations,” said Marcelino Teodoro, the author of the bill.
The killing, torture, maiming, rape, abduction, use as human shields, and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment of children are prohibited under the bill, which was approved on the third reading.
In addition, the recruitment of children by the military, the police and other armed groups is not allowed and military operations are banned near public areas such as schools and hospitals where children can be found.
Violators could be imprisoned for life and fined up to 2 million pesos ($46,400).
The Philippines has a long history of conflicts, and both government-linked paramilitaries and opposition groups have been accused of recruiting young boys as soldiers.
According to the Child Soldiers Global Report 2008, published by activist group Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, up to one-fifth of the communist insurgents’ (New People’s Army) 7,500-strong force were under 18 years old, while children made up 13 percent of the 10,000 members of the Muslim group Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
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