MANILA — A ranking official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has accused the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) of violating international and local laws over the alleged recruitment and use of minors in armed engagements.

NTF-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said Monday night that the continued involvement of minors in armed activities constitutes violations of International Humanitarian Law, Republic Act 11188, and Republic Act 7610, as well as the country’s commitments under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“These are not just tactical decisions. These are criminal acts. The CPP-NPA-NDF must be made to account for these grave violations of both domestic and international law,” Torres said.

Torres cited the April 19 encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental, where 19 alleged NPA members were killed. He said two of those killed were minors, identified as 16-year-old Jolinda Jimena and 17-year-old Dexter Patoja, based on investigation and claims from relatives.

He also said that in a separate April 17 encounter in Samar, another minor identified as alias “John Paul” was killed in a clash with government forces, bringing the total to three reported minors killed in combat operations within the same month.

The NTF-ELCAC official urged families, schools, and communities in the Philippines and abroad to remain vigilant against alleged recruitment efforts targeting the youth.

“No legitimate cause will ever justify placing children in the line of fire. This is a gross and inexcusable violation of their rights,” Torres said.