Developments in the Philippines

The information below is based on the 2009 report of the Secretary General to the Security Council (A/63/785-S/2009/158) issued on 26 March 2009. More information is available in the report.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) acknowledged the presence of children in their ranks in a meeting with the Special Representative in December 2008, and agreed to enter into negotiations with the United Nations for an action plan.

The New People's Army (NPA) remains adamant that it does not recruit or use children, and reiterated its policy of non-recruitment in communications to the United Nations. However, in March 2008, three children were reported to have admitted their association with NPA upon their surrender to Government authorities in Catanduanes province.

The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has long been known to have children in its ranks. This was confirmed by a local news correspondent who was held captive by the group in Sulu province in June 2008. After her release, she revealed that boys in their teens were among her armed captors.

There were reports of the attempted recruitment of indigenous children in Quezon province for the paramilitary Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU).

A total of 48 children, including 27 girls, were killed or injured in the reporting period, 81 per cent as a result of armed clashes between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and MILF that erupted pursuant to the aborted signing of the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain in August 2008.

More than 100 residents of Kolambugan town, including 28 children, were temporarily held hostage and used as human shields by elements of the 102nd Base Command of MILF during attacks on civilian communities in Lanao del Norte province on 18 August 2008. MILF also razed five classrooms during the incident.

There were four cases of military occupation and use of schools as temporary camps. Soldiers from the 50th and 503rd Infantry Battalions of the Philippine Army set up camps in a primary school in Tubo town in Abra and conducted aerial operations from the location in March 2008.

Former child soldiers are being rehabilitated and reintegrated into society through the implementation of Government social integration programmes, which include financial and legal support, and access to education, health services and psychosocial services for these children. However, mechanisms for release and reintegration of children need to be further brought in line with good practices.

Parties responsible for recruitment and use of children

  1. Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).* Status of action plan: The absence of a political organization and the extreme risks involved prevents the possibility of the United Nations engaging with ASG.
  2. Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF):* this party has also been responsible for killing and maiming and abductions of children in the reporting period. Status: Dialogue has been initiated by the United Nations to translate commitments into an action plan. During the visit of the Special Representative in December 2008, the leadership of MILF committed to enter into an action plan with the United Nations to halt the recruitment and use of children and to ensure their separation and return into civilian life.
  3. New People's Army (NPA).* Status: No Action Plan. The Government of the Philippines has expressed reservations on the engagement of the United Nations with NPA. However, the United Nations country team considering possible dialogue on child protection with the Office of the Presidential Adviser to the Peace Process within the context of the ongoing peace processes.

Parties marked with an asterisk (*) have been on the annex lists for a minimum of four years.

Press Releases by the Special Representative: