By Freddie G. Lazaro

VIGAN CITY (June 20) -- The reported use of a children as “warrior” by the communist rebels is a clear violation of child labor based on the rule of the International Labor Organization (ILO) in the Geneva Convention.

To complement this international rule, the government passed Republic Act No. 9231, an act providing for the elimination of the worst forms of child labor and affording stronger protection for the working child, amending for this purpose RA no. 7610. As amended, RA 9231 is otherwise known as the “special protection of children against child abuse, exploitation and discrimination act.

Instead of criticizing the communist rebels in their recruitment of minors, the military should take in effect the law as their reference in filing the appropriate charges against them.

The rebels should be liable in recruiting and training children as their warriors because this is a form of child abuse, curtailing the children’s rights and bright future.

The incident in the Quezon province where a 16-year-old suspected New People's Army (NPA) fighter was captured by the government troops following a 30-minute firefight between the Army and the rebel forces in Milawid village, Panukulan town.

According to the spokesman, said the captured will be turn over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development after undergoing debriefing.