10TH INFANTRY (AGILA) DIVISION, PHILIPPINE ARMY

Camp, Panacan, Davao City

Press Release 22 September 2010

Army clashed with NPA in Alabel Sarangani Province

Troops of the 73rd Infantry Battalion clashed with undetermined number of New
People’s Army at the vicinity of Sitio Bual, Barangay Pag-asa, Alabel, Sarangani
Province, September 20, 2010.

Government troops responded upon reports from the civilians expressing

distress due to the presence of NPA in their barangay.

The day before, soldiers of the same battalion turned over “Buboy”, 15 years old,
to his family at Barangay Pag-asa after the minor was abandoned by an NPA during a
near encounter with government troops. @Arnold, liaison and member of Team 1,
Primera Squad of Platoon Mazda of the Local Terrorist Group Area 71, jumped off a cliff
and abandoned “Buboy” upon seeing the patrolling soldiers at the vicinity of Sitio Kisoy,
Barangay Datal, Alabel, Sarangani Province. Upon interview, “Buboy” confessed that
the NPA used him as a guide and a courier since he was 12 years old and that he was
acting as a guide for the local terrorist group when he was found by the soldiers.

Recruiting of minors is a crime under paragraph b, Section 22, Article 10 of the

Republic Act 7610 that states minors are not allowed to take part in the fighting, or used
as guides, couriers, or spies. The Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human
Rights and International Law wherein (CAHRIHL), wherein the New People’s Army is
signatory, states that the right of children to protection from oppression and exploitation.

Sarangani Province Governor Dominguez dispatched an ambulance to pick up

the two wounded soldiers during the clash between armed rebels.

A pursuit operation is being conducted by the soldiers to protect the minor from
being exploited again by the NPA.

Released by:
LTC MEDEL M AGUILAR PA
Public Information Officer
Email add: dpao10id@yahoo.com