Muslim child soldiers in Philippines.

[TheCoinGrabber]

Came upon an article while browsing FB. I knew from the title that it's gonna anger me and indeed, it was blood-curdling.

http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/172587-maute-child-soldiers-marawi

MARAWI CITY, Philippines – A few years ago, a young boy overheard Cayamora and Farhana Maute talking to his parents about him. The parents of the notorious Maute brothers, responsible for the raging battles in Marawi City, were offering to make him study the Koran.

It was a privilege a poor family would not pass up, especially if the offer came from such a respected clan. In the absence of formal schooling, it's common practice in communities here to organize Arabic and Islamic studies for children.

“Pangarap ng pamilya ko makapag-aral ako ng Koran (It is my family's dream to make me study the Koran),” said the boy, now in his teens. What is not clear is if his parents were also given monetary assistance.

The boy found himself relocating a few years back to the faraway town of Butig, some 50 road kilometers away from Marawi City, where he diligently learned the Koran.

But a month into the lessons, they gave him a rifle and taught him how to kill. "Lahat daw ng Christian sa buong mundo, patayin daw, 'te (They said all the Christians in the world must die)," he said.

The boy did not know about the Mautes' links to the international terrorist network Islamic State (ISIS) or anything about establishing a caliphate in Mindanao, which, according to the military, was the "grand plan" of the Maute Group.

He was told it was his specific duty to kill government soldiers.

"Tinuruan ako mag-patay ng tao. Kung di ko siya patayin, ako ang mamamatay. Ako naunahan ba (They taught me how to kill people. If I don't kill, I will die. They will kill me first)," he said.

He was once a child soldier fighting alongside the Maute brothers in his not so distant past. If he had stayed with the Mautes, he could be fighting in Marawi today, if not be dead already, he said.

When he was in Butig, he did not question the teachings. Not even in his mind. "Naniwala kami din, 'te, mga dalawang taon na 'te. Naniwala talaga 'te (I really did believe them for two years. I really believed)," he said.

His singular dream was to go to heaven and he was taught dying in battle was the way this could happen.

"Gusto ko talaga magpakamatay (I wanted to die for the cause)," he said.

Indeed, the boy recalled being happy in Butig, where he lived in a big house. He was especially fond of riding the horses when they were on a break from studying.

He mingled with the Maute children, including Omar and Abdullah, who would rise to international notoriety for the ongoing siege in Marawi City.

“Masaya ang Butig. Masaya buhay ko sa Butig (I was happy in Butig. I had a good life there),” he said.

To protect the boy, we agreed not to divulge his name and his personal details. We verified the boy's story about his stay in Butig – the hometown of Farhana Maute – by checking military reports too about the terrorist group's operations in Butig.


Brainwashed

The boy agreed to talk because he doesn’t want more children to be brainwashed by the likes of the Mautes to support a cause that he now says is “very wrong.”

That the Maute Group used child soldiers is well reported. Rappler also obtained what appears to be propaganda videos of Filipino-looking children joining adult fighters carrying the ISIS black flag. A high-ranking military officer who operated in Butig confirmed the video was shot in the area.

The same officer provided an old photo of child soldiers recovered last year in one military operation in Butig, Farhana's hometown.

The boy said he was told it's what Allah wanted him to become.

"Sabihin nila, magka-edad ka na. Tapos ito gawin mo. 'Yan ang sinusundan natin dito sa Koran. Utos ng Allah (They say, you are growing up. This is what you should do. This is what we should follow, according to the Koran. It is what Allah wants us to do)," the boy recalled.

He was the perfect soldier. There's nothing like the misinformed courage of a child.

"Gusto ko talagang patayin ang mga sundalo. Nagtatatakbo ako sa mga puno para maghanap ng sundalo (I really wanted to kill soldiers. I was running among the trees to hunt for them)," he said.

He was talking about the clashes last year in Butig, where the Maute Group was able to raise the black flag of the Islamic State (ISIS). Three military offensives were launched there to flush them out.

"Naubos ko pa mga bala ko sa unang giyera. Sobra. te. Sabi ko, mamatay ako sa giyera na ito at mapunta na ako sa langit. Kung mamatay sa giyera, kukunin ka ni Allah (I emptied my magazine in my first battle. It was intense. I told myself, 'I will die in this war and I will go to heaven.' If I die in the battlefield, Allah will welcome me to heaven)," he said.

"Ready talaga ako mamatay, 'te. Kapag pumutok ang kanyon at ang mga eroplano dumating, hindi talaga ako magtago (I was ready to die. If the cannons were fired and if the planes came, I really wouldn't hide)," he added.

The boy didn't die in the wars in Butig. He didn't kill any soldier either. He didn't get the chance to master his marksmanship. And then something happened that changed his life and made him realize the teachings were wrong. We are withholding these details to protect his identity.

Today the boy said he still reads the Koran on his own. "Magbasa ako ng Koran. Pakiramdam ko 'te parang magaan (I read the Koran and when I do, I feel much better)," he said.

He hears the clashes in Butig and he knows some of his friends are fighting to get to heaven. "Maling-mali talaga, 'te (It's really wrong)," he said.

The military was surprised by the Maute Group's resistance in Marawi City because bandits usually run to the mountains and escape when confronted with heavy artillery. The clash is now on its 4th week and the fighters are still holding out.

If they were trained like the young boy, it means they are all ready to kill and they are all ready to die. – Rappler.com

What must be done to stop this madness?

[gabmen]

I've read about this article and it made me feel really angry that these children are dragged to do something they're not even supposed to know about yet. It's a very cowardly way to use kids for war. Using religion, fear, their status in life, to take advantage of these young minds are way beyond evil. These people should rot in whataver hell they believe in

[Sithara007]

A bullet is a bullet, whether it comes from a 10-year old or a 40-year old. It is a matter of life and death. If it is not possible to disarm them, then unfortunately these soldiers must be exterminated. Else, they are going to massacre innocent civilians.

[Spendulus]

A bullet is a bullet, whether it comes from a 10-year old or a 40-year old. It is a matter of life and death. If it is not possible to disarm them, then unfortunately these soldiers must be exterminated. Else, they are going to massacre innocent civilians.

Still, in most conflicts when the leadership of an army is killed, the army itself does not continue to fight. Not only is that almost impossible logistically, but the individual men conscripted typically prefer to go home and have a life, rather than be in any army.

[Xester]

Crazy people.  Uses their power and money to manipulate poor people.  Their target are the young ones cause they do not know anything yet.  Since the government of the Philippines have already captured the mother and the mother of the Maute, maybe they can execute them already.  If they escape maybe they can organize a new Maute group and new recruits will evolve.

[masterwakokok7]

Those people who has the power and money can manipulate the poor. With there money they can easily persuade adults, teenagers and even kids ages from 5-12 to simply work for them. This is one of their tactics (Syndicates/Rebels), Using kids in wars and any other activities could give them leverage over the Government. Maute group is well compensated by other officials, to cut expenses and to increase the number of their members they recruit even kids. This is not new even Abu Sayaff, Al queda, MILF, BILF, and NPA do this.

[Sithara007]

A bullet is a bullet, whether it comes from a 10-year old or a 40-year old. It is a matter of life and death. If it is not possible to disarm them, then unfortunately these soldiers must be exterminated. Else, they are going to massacre innocent civilians.

Still, in most conflicts when the leadership of an army is killed, the army itself does not continue to fight. Not only is that almost impossible logistically, but the individual men conscripted typically prefer to go home and have a life, rather than be in any army.

This logic is not applicable to the Islamist extremist groups such as the ISIS, as we have seen from the previous incidents. The loss of their leaders seems to be having very little impact on their battle-worthiness. The leaders are replaced in no time, and the effects are not being felt in the frontline.

[digaran]

Are you going to conclude that the problem is not the people rather Quran? and some body comes here and says: this is unacceptable, we should fight this?
Well we must fight this because this is exactly what Quran tells us to do, not what they are doing.

[seojp]

Its terrible to see that because its an isis vindicated happening in the country. To teach a kid like that to become terrorist is dangerous because to fight fight fight. So the government will work for this.

[crwth]

Those people who has the power and money can manipulate the poor. With there money they can easily persuade adults, teenagers and even kids ages from 5-12 to simply work for them. This is one of their tactics (Syndicates/Rebels), Using kids in wars and any other activities could give them leverage over the Government. Maute group is well compensated by other officials, to cut expenses and to increase the number of their members they recruit even kids. This is not new even Abu Sayaff, Al queda, MILF, BILF, and NPA do this.

That's why money is somehow and always being told that it is the root of all evil. People prioritize people with money and that could be a bridge way how the country works. If the country is really populated by greedy people, like oligarchs and people who bribe, then that's what thrives the country. It's what makes the country go. That's just the first thing of it.

[Masha Sha]

If they only knew what hidding in the belly of the west they would be running for their lives...

[Sithara007]

Its terrible to see that because its an isis vindicated happening in the country. To teach a kid like that to become terrorist is dangerous because to fight fight fight. So the government will work for this.

The usage of child soldiers is widespread in the ISIS controlled areas. Look at what happened in Sinjar, Iraq. The ISIS over-ran the Yazidi inhabited areas and then they murdered all the adult men. The women and the girls were taken as sex slaves, while the boys were sent to religious indoctrination camps, where they were given training for becoming suicide bombers.

[Fredomago]

Its terrible to see that because its an isis vindicated happening in the country. To teach a kid like that to become terrorist is dangerous because to fight fight fight. So the government will work for this.

The usage of child soldiers is widespread in the ISIS controlled areas. Look at what happened in Sinjar, Iraq. The ISIS over-ran the Yazidi inhabited areas and then they murdered all the adult men. The women and the girls were taken as sex slaves, while the boys were sent to religious indoctrination camps, where they were given training for becoming suicide bombers.

this practice must be stop its really shameful for those people who's hiding behind the back of those innocent child as they already influence them with wrong did, its a practice of the terrorist who only think about how they messed up with others.

[Supreemo]

.I could only say that those children doesn't deserve to be treated like that  instead of going to school, they were sent to battle fields carrying high caliber of guns joining and struggling among their soldiers. Their freedom to go to school have been taken away and being brainwashed by their local community, I didn't see any brighter future ahead of them.

[Mometaskers]

This is utterly disgusting. I hope they can get a child abuse charge for inciting children to violence and putting them on the battlefield.

"Give me a child for 7 years, and I'll give you the man." The quote is said to have been made by Francis Xavier and one that Jesuits boast is achievable through famous "Jesuit Education". For me it highlights what's at stake when we give people control on what they want to do with children. Children are the religion and ethnicity they have simply because they were brought up like that.

This really need to stop. I hope that the president would have some balls to implement a thorough surveillance of all religious and ethnically based educational institution.

A bullet is a bullet, whether it comes from a 10-year old or a 40-year old. It is a matter of life and death. If it is not possible to disarm them, then unfortunately these soldiers must be exterminated. Else, they are going to massacre innocent civilians.

Sadly. I doubt our soldiers would purposely hurt them but in battle, either you shot these kids or they'll shoot you. You likely have kids at home waiting for you. You'll have more to lose than these kids.

[Sithara007]

Its terrible to see that because its an isis vindicated happening in the country. To teach a kid like that to become terrorist is dangerous because to fight fight fight. So the government will work for this.

The usage of child soldiers is widespread in the ISIS controlled areas. Look at what happened in Sinjar, Iraq. The ISIS over-ran the Yazidi inhabited areas and then they murdered all the adult men. The women and the girls were taken as sex slaves, while the boys were sent to religious indoctrination camps, where they were given training for becoming suicide bombers.

this practice must be stop its really shameful for those people who's hiding behind the back of those innocent child as they already influence them with wrong did, its a practice of the terrorist who only think about how they messed up with others.

This has been practiced ever since Islam was spread through warfare starting from the 8th century onward. And I doubt whether they will ever stop this practice. It is very convenient. The children are very easy to be brainwashed, and even if they are killed the core group is not losing any of their members.

[NY-city]

Its terrible to see that because its an isis vindicated happening in the country. To teach a kid like that to become terrorist is dangerous because to fight fight fight. So the government will work for this.

The usage of child soldiers is widespread in the ISIS controlled areas. Look at what happened in Sinjar, Iraq. The ISIS over-ran the Yazidi inhabited areas and then they murdered all the adult men. The women and the girls were taken as sex slaves, while the boys were sent to religious indoctrination camps, where they were given training for becoming suicide bombers.

this practice must be stop its really shameful for those people who's hiding behind the back of those innocent child as they already influence them with wrong did, its a practice of the terrorist who only think about how they messed up with others.

This has been practiced ever since Islam was spread through warfare starting from the 8th century onward. And I doubt whether they will ever stop this practice. It is very convenient. The children are very easy to be brainwashed, and even if they are killed the core group is not losing any of their members.

This is really a problem, but how to get rid of this problem? Throughout the world, children are used as a fish and as a means to get their desires in anyone together in social activities. Regardless of what a person does and even poured in children, they use cannon fodder. I have met fanatically-minded children not only in Islam but also in other religions, even in Orthodoxy. This is very bad. We are losing the future generation.

[merchantofzeny]

Its terrible to see that because its an isis vindicated happening in the country. To teach a kid like that to become terrorist is dangerous because to fight fight fight. So the government will work for this.

The usage of child soldiers is widespread in the ISIS controlled areas. Look at what happened in Sinjar, Iraq. The ISIS over-ran the Yazidi inhabited areas and then they murdered all the adult men. The women and the girls were taken as sex slaves, while the boys were sent to religious indoctrination camps, where they were given training for becoming suicide bombers.

this practice must be stop its really shameful for those people who's hiding behind the back of those innocent child as they already influence them with wrong did, its a practice of the terrorist who only think about how they messed up with others.

This has been practiced ever since Islam was spread through warfare starting from the 8th century onward. And I doubt whether they will ever stop this practice. It is very convenient. The children are very easy to be brainwashed, and even if they are killed the core group is not losing any of their members.

This is really a problem, but how to get rid of this problem? Throughout the world, children are used as a fish and as a means to get their desires in anyone together in social activities. Regardless of what a person does and even poured in children, they use cannon fodder. I have met fanatically-minded children not only in Islam but also in other religions, even in Orthodoxy. This is very bad. We are losing the future generation.

@Sithara007 didn't Janissaries started out as kidnapped Christian boys that were force converted and given military training? I wouldn't be surprised if there were other similar practices but that's the one the immediately comes to mind.

@NY-city although some would insist it's sort of the same thing, I believe a country really need a strong secular government that have enough clout to keep these religious institutions in check. If possible restrict religious education to legal aged citizens only, if an outright ban isn't convenient.

[Kemarit]

Its terrible to see that because its an isis vindicated happening in the country. To teach a kid like that to become terrorist is dangerous because to fight fight fight. So the government will work for this.

The usage of child soldiers is widespread in the ISIS controlled areas. Look at what happened in Sinjar, Iraq. The ISIS over-ran the Yazidi inhabited areas and then they murdered all the adult men. The women and the girls were taken as sex slaves, while the boys were sent to religious indoctrination camps, where they were given training for becoming suicide bombers.

this practice must be stop its really shameful for those people who's hiding behind the back of those innocent child as they already influence them with wrong did, its a practice of the terrorist who only think about how they messed up with others.

This has been practiced ever since Islam was spread through warfare starting from the 8th century onward. And I doubt whether they will ever stop this practice. It is very convenient. The children are very easy to be brainwashed, and even if they are killed the core group is not losing any of their members.

This is really a problem, but how to get rid of this problem? Throughout the world, children are used as a fish and as a means to get their desires in anyone together in social activities. Regardless of what a person does and even poured in children, they use cannon fodder. I have met fanatically-minded children not only in Islam but also in other religions, even in Orthodoxy. This is very bad. We are losing the future generation.

No surprise at all. I've seen a lot of video's in YouTube teaching young kids how to be a terrorist. So its no shocker to see it in the Philippines. Although we are not accustomed Filipinos seeing young kids being treated like that. That is why terrorist will not be totally eliminated because of their practice. It is just a pity that this kids freedom are totally removed from them as early as 5 years of age. They brainwashed the kids family and promised them something in return so that they will let their boy join the terrorist group.

[yoseph]

Its no surprise that the so called religion of peace exploit children and use them for their barbaric acts,They are only concerned about their own lives and no one else.Teaching children to shot and behead others is disgusting. This religion is the bane of the entire world.