
New People’s Army rebels are being accused by President Rodrigo Duterte of kidnapping children in Mindanao.
In a briefing held on Tuesday at Surigao del Sur, the President said the rebels took away the children from their parents, aggravating the insurgency problem in the region.
“Itong mga NPA, kinukuha nila yung mga anak, dinadala nila sa ibang lugar. Kunin ninyo yung bata, isauli ninyo sa nanay pati sa tatay because a child, a minor should not be separated from the family home,” Duterte said.
Uniformed personnel were also encouraged by Duterte to take the children home, even without the presence of a search warrant.
“Puntahan mo sa loob kunin yung mga bata at isaoli mo sa magulang at isauli mo at the earliest opportunity,” he added.
Ending children kidnappings is one way of combating insurgency in Mindanao as Duterte promised to repair barangay roads to promote economic development in the region.