Youth & Children

Arroyo urged: Admit there are ghost child prisoners in Philippines

MANILA — The Coalition to Stop Child Detention Through Restorative Justice
debunks claims by President Arroyo that children no longer suffer
imprisonment with adult crime suspects in filthy police jails in
violation of international human rights law (PGMA wants youth
offenders to continue studies, engage in livelihood, Office of the
President, released May 7, 2007). The President should officially
acknowledge the existence of these ghost children prisoners who lurk
in the shadows of police dungeons especially in Metro Manila and major
urban centers, without official acknowledgment, transparency and
accountability.

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Philippines: Pimentel Seeks Prosecution of Grecil’s Killers

MANILA — Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr.
(PDP-Laban) today urged the Armed Forces of the
Philippines to conduct a no-nonsense investigation
into the ?accidental? killing of a nine-year old
village girl during an encounter between government
troops and communist guerillas in Compostela Valley
and to identify the soldiers responsible for the
tragedy.
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Philippines: International Probe on Grecil’s Death Urged

DAVAO CITY — ?Exactly one month after the death of 9-year old Grecil Buya Galacio, an independent investigation has yet to commence,? lamented Alphonse Rivera, Spokesperson of SALINLAHI Alliance for Children?s Concerns. Grecil was killed by members of the 28th and 67th IB in New Bataan, Compostella Valley last March 31, 2007. She was initially branded as a ?child soldier? by the military which was later forced to retract their statement after the family and Salinlahi presented evidences proving otherwise.
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Philippines: Children’s Group Lauds Cayetano for Backing Grecil Autopsy

DAVAO CITY — KABIBA Alliance of Children?s Concerns in Mindanao, a coalition of 51 child-focused and child-friendly groups, commended today Sen. Pia Cayetano for supporting the clamor on the conduct of an impartial autopsy on the remains of Grecil Buya whom the military misrepresented as NPA ?child combatant?
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