Solve roots of child abandonment
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.
REENACTING THE HORROR. Children of Barangay Mangayon, town of Compostela, Compostela Valley dramatize how they were harassed and forced by government soldiers to act as guides in their counter-insurgency operations . This was part of the Save Our Schools: Children's Camp launched by child advocates in Panansalan, Compostela last October 29 to call for the protection of children's rights in the observance of Children's Month. (file photo)
Army presence halted Lumad school classes
A children’s advocacy group said classes were disrupted as school children were “too afraid to go to school” after military troops “encamped” in their classrooms in a farflung village in Compostela, Compostela Valley province.
JUSTICE FOR ROQUE. Children and rights advocates join the funeral march Wednesday for eight-year-old Roque Antivo who was allegedly killed in a strafing incident by members of the 71st IB. Mourners stopped outside the Mabini Police Station as they demand for justice for Roque and all other children who were victims of the military including Sunshine Jabinez and Grecil Buya. (davaotoday.com photo by John Rizle L. Saligumba)
Reds “indict” PH gov’t forces implicated in boy’s “murder”
A “special investigating body” of the “Compostela Valley People’s Democratic Government” has recommended “an order for the immediate arrest and commencement of the trial” of 23 respondents composed of army, police and government civilian personnel implicated in the “murder” of Roque Antivo.
Sonny Cortes, stepfather of slain Roque Antivo, signs his affidavit before the Provincial Prosecution Office in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley. (davaotoday.com photo by John Rizle L. Saligumba)
Slain kid’s family slams prosecutor’s handling of case
The family of the slain eight-year boy reacted strongly to the decision of the government prosecutor who thrashed its murder complaint against soldiers they claimed to have been in the area at the time of the incident.
WAIL IN MOURNING. Evelyn wails in sorrow as her eight-year-old child Roque Antivo was laid to rest Wednesday in Mabini town, Compostela Valley. Antivo, along with two other minors, was allegedly strafed by members of the 71st IB, April 3 on their way home from a day’s farming. (davaotoday.com photo by John Rizle L. Saligumba)
Group irked at dropping of murder plaints vs soldiers in Comval child’s slay
“Are authorities really that insensitive to children’s rights, that children can become collateral damage to military offensives?” asked Rius Valle, Children’s Rehabilitation Center Southern Mindanao spokesperson