Bill seeks rehab, scholarship program for ‘child soldiers’

MANILA, Philippines - Children involved in armed conflicts as "child soldiers" will be entitled to rehabilitation and scholarship programs, if a bill in the House of Representatives is passed into law. House Bill 5544 seeks comprehensive rehabilitation and scholarship for child combatants and those working as spies, guards, guides, lookouts, porters, garden workers, or messengers. "Some quarters in the military suspect that these children are not only recruited as errand boys or combatants but also as human shields against military attacks. In any conflict, the most vulnerable victims are the children," author Rep. Nerissa Corazon Soon-Ruiz (Cebu) was quoted as saying in an article on the House of Representatives website. She cited military estimates that there are about 2,000 children fighting for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, New People's Army and the Abu Sayyaf Group. Also, she lamented that a good number of children in conflict areas in the country have died or were injured in the crossfire. "Many of them are forced out of school to relocate from one place to another to avoid being caught in the crossfire. At their tender age, they have become silent witnesses to the brutality of war. Worse, they have been robbed of their innocence at an early age by being dragged into the conflict, not just as mere speculators, but as active participants either as combatants, spies, guards, guides, lookouts, porters, garden workers or messengers," she said. Also, the vice chairman of the House committee on foreign affairs said child soldiers deserve society's sympathy and assistance since they do not really act on their own free will. "Many of these child soldiers end up dead or disabled. Those who survive suffer psychological trauma and fear. Some even suffer mental disturbance and morbidity. Their involvement in acts of extreme violence and exposure to horrific situations may desensitize them and make them more likely to commit violent acts and separate themselves from society," she said. Under the bill, it shall be the policy of the State to treat child soldiers as victims rather than offenders despite their membership in armed groups. Thus, the State shall provide them with the necessary support and guidance to lead them back to the mainstream of society and enable them to live normal and productive lives. The proposed "Child Soldiers' Act of 2008" also provides that within 24 hours, rescued or surrendered child soldiers shall be turned over to the nearest Field Office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development for protective custody and case evaluation. Within 48 hours upon receipt of the physical custody of the children, the DSWD shall notify their parents or nearest relatives of their situation and condition. Immediate medical and physical treatment shall be provided to children wounded during engagement or suffering from illness at the time of rescue or surrender, including psychological or psychiatric treatment when necessary, and medical treatment in case of emergency. In case there is reasonable danger that child soldiers would be exposed again to their former comrades and recruited to rejoin their armed group, the bill provides that they shall remain in the custody of the DSWD until they reach the age of majority or have completed their schooling. The bill also provides that under the administration of the Department of Education, child soldiers undergoing psychological or psychiatric rehabilitation shall also be admitted to a scholarship program to resume their studies based on the last grade or year level they have completed. The DepEd shall also conduct tests to determine their competency for promotion to higher grades or year levels based on their age. Also, the bill also provides for the creation of a special task force on child soldiers to oversee implementation of the proposal once it becomes a law. The body shall be chaired by the DSWD Secretary and shall have as its members, the Secretaries of the DepEd, National Defense and the Interior and Local Government. - GMANews.TV