By Pia Lee-Brago
MANILA, Philippines - The Abu Sayyaf group is using child warriors to behead hostages, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said yesterday.
Lorenzana and Sen. Richard Gordon also confirmed the recruitment of child warriors by the Maute group, Abu Sayyaf and other lawless elements in Mindanao as they warned that this is a violation of International Humanitarian Law.
“We see some teenagers who are already holding guns and being used by Maute and other lawless elements in Mindanao. Kasama na ang mga Abu Sayyaf group (This includes the Abu Sayyaf) in Basilan and Sulu,” Lorenzana told reporters at the International Humanitarian Law Day celebration at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
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