CAMP AGUINALDO – “The CPP-NPA-NDF must be held liable for Human Rights violations and must be charged with criminal offences for the wounded eleven civilians where a grenade exploded during a ‘bomb-making’ session in Sitio Silahis, Barangay Sampaguita, Kibawe town in Bukidnon last January 30, 2012,” Colonel Vicente Gregorio B Tomas, PA said.

Moreover, Col Tomas, the Officer-in-Charge of the CRSAFP said that “the CPP-NPA-NDF incessantly violates Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law by recruiting children to be part of the armed conflict. As signatories to the CAHRIHL or the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, this makes them liable to be charged of Human Rights violations and criminal charges for the wounded eight children and three other civilians during the ‘bomb-making’ session.”

In addition, Col Tomas said that civilian lives should never be a casualty in armed conflict; the CPP-NPA should never have involved civilians most especially the children as an instrument to achieve their wicked goals. He furthermore said that there is a need to increase vigilance among the civilian population as they are the ones who are directly affected by NPA activities and that this event is a clear manifestation that the CPP-NPA-NDF is not serious in achieving a just and lasting peace as they continue with their lawless practices.

“These innocent children are supposed to be with their families learning good values and educated in decent learning institutions. They should not have been involved in this tragic incident where they are being taught to become future terrorists instead of becoming productive citizens of our society,” Col Tomas added.