Philippines: Fact Sheet
- Population: 78.6 million
- Government armed forces: 106,000
- Child soldiers: 2,300
- Child soldiers continue to be used by armed opposition groups
- MILF- Moro Islamic Liberation Front
- NPA- New People’s Arm
- CPP- Communist Party of Philippines
- NDA- National Democratic Front
- Government Forces have failed to make peace treaties with the different factions
- DDR methods are not successful because of the presence of ongoing civil strife that disenables the ability of organizations to demobilize children
Philippines's Current Conflict
Peace talks between the government forces and the faction group MILF ended in 2003, and further conflicts ensued. In February 2003, government forces launched a tremendous offensive against MILF in the southern islands of Mindanao, where hundreds were killed and displaced. The MILF fearing the breakdown of their cause, attacked hundreds of schools and communities across the country in order to retaliate. The government forces and factions began new peace talks in 2004, but they ended in a stalemate, as violence as continued throughout the country. Peace talks with the faction groups NDA, CPP, and NPA also failed as widespread violence continued.
Philippines's Use of Child Soldiers
he government forces have been known to use child soldiers that have been rescued or captured from armed opposition groups as spies and informants. In the military conflicts between armed forces and MILF, many child soldiers engaged in combat were killed. In 2002, a 15-year was charged with participating in a rebellion with an armed opposition group. The 15-year old was eventually executed in public. The MILF recruited children and used them for things such as guards, leaders, cooks, and medical assistants. The faction group NPA massively recruited 13 to 16 year-olds and continued the indoctrination of their cause throughout schools in the country.
Sources Consulted
- "Child Soldiers in the Philippines." Children's Net. February 2002. 5 April 2007 <http://www.childprotection.org.ph/monthlyfeatures/mar2k2a.rtf>.
- "Philippines." Child Soldiers Global Report 2004. 2004. 17 March 2007 <http://www.child-soldiers.org/document_get.php?id=875>.