PNP steps up drive vs child warrior recruitment

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is stepping up its peace and development information drive to counter the propaganda of the remnants of terror groups in Mindanao following the arrest of three minors after a fierce firefight between government troops and the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group (DI-MG) in Lanao del Sur.

- By AARON RECUENCO

Three people died in the clash and PNP chief Police Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the three minors are now under the custody of the Philippine Army and will soon be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

"Ever since, the recruitment of child warriors has been the modus of the Maute because they know that government troops would treat them differently in the battlefield. This is what makes this child warrior recruitment really detestable," said Torre.

"That is why part of our preemptive measures is to debunk their propaganda in the recruitment. This is a whole of government approach," he added.