Manobo tribal children flew kites on Friday in a symbolic message to government to pull out Army troops currently doing counterinsurgency rounds in their hometown in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
Days before marking the 1st year death anniversary of her son, the mother of an 8-year old boy killed in a strafing incident involving state forces said that the dismissal of their case by government prosecutors was “deliberate.”
Balong can now join his batchmates after his family and child's rights groups rescued him from state forces who presented him to the media as a “child soldier, informer and collector” for the New People’s Army.
“Since 28 January up to this moment, this exact moment, I can attest that there are still military forces camping in our community, 7 houses are occupied including mine” Christina Lantao said.
A councilor noted on Adoption Consciousness Week this February 15 to 23 that the high number of adoption cases of children raises deeper issues on children abandonment.