The 39th IB trains and uses minors as action agents

Dencio Madrigal
Commander, Valentin Palamine Command, NPA-Far South Mindanao Region
July 31, 2010

May we express our deepest concern over the recent events in FarSouth Mindanao on the unconscionable exploitation of minors by the 39th Infantry Battalion of the 10th Infantry Division -- AFP. Its most recent victim is "Boy" (not his real name), a 17 year old of Brgy. Tagaytay, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur who has been trained and tasked to penetrate into an NPA unit and steal high powered rifles. At present, he is being paraded by the 39th IB as an "NPA child warrior." For the information of all, Boy has never been in the NPA roster as a combatant or in whatever capacity. Under the despicable design of the 39th IB the boy was able to enter the NPA camp under the auspices of the impostor and traitor Roger Parasa, his uncle, and cart away 2 high-powered rifles.

The 39th IB proudly paraded Roy Parasa to the media as its achievement; it has no qualms at all of having exposed a minor to such a dangerous mission such as the boy did. This battalion has not the least bit concern for the interest and welfare of minors. This is no different from what the 39th IB did to "Jerry" (not his real name), a 17 year old of Brgy. Malawanit, Magsaysay town who was tortured in the hope of using him as another "NPA child warrior". Fortunately, Jerry was able to escape his captors and lived to tell his tale. A less fortunate victim is "Donna" (not her real name), of Dungan Pekong, Matanao, Davao del Sur whose scripted account of having been a "child warrior" has been repeatedly paraded to the media.

All of the above -- Donna, Jerry and Boy, have never been recruited into the ranks of the NPA. They are simple barrio folks, unfortunate minors, who have been used by the reactionary armed forces in their propaganda war against the revolutionary movement.

Due to the 39th IB's miserable failure to win the war in the battlefield or even to inflict damage on the NPA in FSMR, it is now trying to destroy the revolutionary movement's image by spinning tall tales of so-called "NPA child warriors" which in effect has done so much harm not only to the youth and minors involved but to their families and communities as well.

Oplan Bantay Laya II's most recent tactic of trying to discredit the revolutionary movement with its accusations of violating the international humanitarian law is an old ploy that is bound to fail because it has neither truth nor substance and has been very harmful to the people, especially children and minors who are exposed to extreme psychological trauma.

It is clear to all and sundry that the NPA has consistently and passionately defended human rights and valiantly fought for the people's welfare and interest for more than four decades. It shall continue to do so. In particular, it shall continue to abide by the NPA Rules and Regulations on recruitment and other policies related to the Rules of War and the like.

For the Valentin Palamine Regional Operations Command,

Ka. DENCIO MADRIGAL