Muslim child soldiers in Philippines.

[Coins and Hardwork]

,,,I really wonder why those parents let their children risk their lives in the battlefield wearing and carrying guns and ammo fighting for the sake of other people's ambition. I don't think they wanted to be part of those groups.

They are not letting their children risk their lives. These parents don't have a choice, these terrorist get their children to get more arms for the war.

[merchantofzeny]

Yup, read somewhere that it became very common in Central and Eastern Europe that parents would tattoo crosses on their children to prevent them from being converted. (Can't remember if that was in Armenia or Hungary.)

Aside from them reducing the population of the Christians, it probably makes them less likely to rebel since they could be fighting their own offspring (not that their children would probably remember them). Not to mention this also reduced the number of males Christians can field.

If it was not disgusting, I would say it was a brilliant move. I wonder if anyone has used this AGAINST Muslims.

Islam is a religion which gives a lot of emphasis to the demography. They take every step to increase their population. The males can have up to 4 wives (including non-Muslim women), and the widows are immediately remarried. Also, they are encouraged to have as many children as possible. Family planning is strictly prohibited. In war, the non-Muslim prisoners of war are spared from execution of they convert to Islam.

The polygyny definitely drives up population in just a short amount of time. I've heard about widows being remarried just few days after being widowed but what if they already got children? Are they remarried still?

I remember the Byzantines also used to do this, though probably not on the same scale as Muslims. Byzantines just required you be Christian and fluent in Greek to be considered citizen.

Most of the Muslim in the Philippines are the problem of the government. Especially Muslim who stayed in Mindanao, they are shit most of them. But thanks to Mr. President Duterte who take action about what happen in marawi.

Whenever they try to create an issue, just use iron fist to suppress them. Appeasement never works with these people (example is Germany). If the problem is nipped in the bud, then initially the terrorist sympathizers will complain that their human rights are being breached, but after some time they will also shut up and move to some other liberal nation.

Maybe have a bridge to Malaysia so they can flee there if they don't agree with our secular law? It seems they plan to use the same strategy in Europe here. When they tried to create an autonomous region for Muslims years ago, only 4 of the provinces given referendum agreed to join, mainly because the other provinces are Christian-majority. By attacking Muslim areas first, these terrorists would push Muslims into Christian provinces were they'll breed like rabbits. If armed conflict failed and they hold another referendum instead....

Creepy, no?

[Xester]

,,,I really wonder why those parents let their children risk their lives in the battlefield wearing and carrying guns and ammo fighting for the sake of other people's ambition. I don't think they wanted to be part of those groups.

They are not letting their children risk their lives. These parents don't have a choice, these terrorist get their children to get more arms for the war.

Well some are doing that, kidnapping innocent children to be trained as a terrorist someday.  But most of the time, some were recruited through false promises.  They will talk to the parents of the child that they will teach them and help to support its education.  Without knowing that the real intention is to kill people ang be a terrorist.

[bryant.coleman]

Yeah we are very lucky indeed. President Duterte will not stop until this so called ISIS wannabee is destroyed. He is also hell bent to do everything in his power to kill those involved because he don't want the Philippines to be in constant fear of this terrorist. Too bad Merkel is the complete of President Duterte that is why Europe is turning into a mess right now. I hope that this Maute brothers or whoever the leader of  this group can be captured so that the this war in Marawi will be over.

I don't think that the issues will be resolved if the leader is captured. That is an interesting aspect about Islamic extremism. The Islamist terror is not dependent upon an individual. It is based on ideology and not overly dependent on a particular person. Even if all the top-level leaders are removed, they will be replaced in no time.

[kodes88]

wtf is that?i dont think that child already 15 years old,and he trained with a gun on hand,ISIS really have no idea to recruit their member,and this also proven that ISIS have no power to recruit massive member,that why they also train child as soldier,this can be big problem to us,because ISIS also a warning for our child future. thanks for sharing..

[TheCoinGrabber]

wtf is that?i dont think that child already 15 years old,and he trained with a gun on hand,ISIS really have no idea to recruit their member,and this also proven that ISIS have no power to recruit massive member,that why they also train child as soldier,this can be big problem to us,because ISIS also a warning for our child future. thanks for sharing..

Any "cause" that is recruiting and indoctrinating children should cause concern for anyone. We all know have suggestible kids are, what more when you isolate them from society and make them do certain stuff that they'll inevitably think is normal to do.

[gccaalim]

These children should have nothing to do with the war, their mind are so innocent to kill.  The real problem here is their parents who wishes these children to go to war. These children should be holding books and pen not guns and ammunition. If given a chance I would love to discuss the advantage of studying these young minds to their parents and how will it help the next generation/

[Xester]

These children should have nothing to do with the war, their mind are so innocent to kill.  The real problem here is their parents who wishes these children to go to war. These children should be holding books and pen not guns and ammunition. If given a chance I would love to discuss the advantage of studying these young minds to their parents and how will it help the next generation/

Definitely these children have nothing to do with the war and also their parents.  The problem is not their parents it is the greedy and evil minds who just want terrorism and war.  If you read the subject and its contents, it stated there that the terrorist talked to the parents of these children and promised them that they will be sent to school and to be taught Quran.  Because Muslim wanted for their children to have that learning.  Unfortunately, it was not all true and all they wanted is to train these kids to become a terrorist.

[hyunee]

Sadly, but this is true. As I saw the news in the television weeks ago. The terrorist incident that happened in Marawi City involves a child soldier. It breaks my heart at a young age they are already involved in this crucial problem. I hope government would do something about this.

[lombok]

Who is the brain of the terrorist kingpin that needs to be fought. Religion does not teach its people to be a terrorist. What he really wants is to force his will by force.

[TahuDiniHari]

I as a Muslim, I really do not like any thing that smells of terrorism. Because basically we live in this world to help each other and help. But unfortunately the foreigners are not responsible, always think 'radical Muslims' with ease. I live amid a very high difference. In social media very many people attack one religion and another religion. I am very concerned about the actions of such people. Should look to ourselves, we live in this world has been useful or not, have done something useful for others or not, if you already include people who are useful to the world. Try to think, the age of the world getting older, how long will the war continue, let's move and act for world peace.

[Sithara007]

Sadly, but this is true. As I saw the news in the television weeks ago. The terrorist incident that happened in Marawi City involves a child soldier. It breaks my heart at a young age they are already involved in this crucial problem. I hope government would do something about this.

It is not surprising. The ISIS has a long history of using child soldiers, especially for suicide missions. There is enough evidence for this from Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen and Afghanistan. And in Syria and Iraq, a large part of these child soldiers are abducted Yazidi children, who were forced to convert to Islam.

[karisiak123]

Prokadagma is now very fooling children and they say they have killed so many Muslim women and no mercy.

[basesaw]

Sadly, but this is true. As I saw the news in the television weeks ago. The terrorist incident that happened in Marawi City involves a child soldier. It breaks my heart at a young age they are already involved in this crucial problem. I hope government would do something about this.

It is not surprising. The ISIS has a long history of using child soldiers, especially for suicide missions. There is enough evidence for this from Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen and Afghanistan. And in Syria and Iraq, a large part of these child soldiers are abducted Yazidi children, who were forced to convert to Islam.

This was sad that ISIS using its religion to conquer a certain place/teritory where in fact religion must be the first in line to spread unity in all places and not act of terrorism. maybe ISIS has secret agenda on why they are using their religion on their act of terrorism and forces many people to convert to their religion so that they will not be killed.

[Buttercup123]

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?

Muslim people are not to be blamed, even the "Koran" (is this right?) is not to be blamed too, the ones to be blamed are those leaders which have corrupt minds and are using religion to mask the truth that they just want to wreak havoc. A leader can influence many people, they have the power to brainwash others. Children are innocent looking and true they are a great use in war because of their innocent face, but it is devilish to bring children in a war.
To stop this we need to understand what's the purpose of the ISIS? Any problem can be solve by speaking and communicating with each other. We can hear their demands and give them want they want but with limitations. We can give them anything they want but we can't give them the power to rule the world. For me ISIS have something they want the world to realize. I am not saying that we should be one and i am not pro ISIS, but i think it's a good idea to hear them out. They will not fight harshly if they didn't get ignored. I hate ISIS for what they are and what they have done, but to exterminate something we first need to know what they are, what is their purpose and understand them. I know it is not clear as water but the more we fight ISIS the more they get devilish, so why not hear them out?
In conclusion i am not pro ISIS, as i have said earlier.

[Labay]

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.

some kid do blind in money, the kid can get by using money and goods. some kid must more idolism the terrorist than government because the terrorist gave money to the young age that why they can easy recruit some child.

[Senkuli]

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?

I strongly disagree when recruiting soldiers from children, and the coincidence of Islam.
Whatever it is I strongly disagree with the existence of terrorism in this world, disrupt the world's tranquility, disrupt the security of the world community as well.
Too many people possess the wealth and power of exploiting a mob to form army or security forces according to their will not only in the name of religions such as mobsters, gangsters, and various other organizations just for the sake of power.
In the end the formation of troops only spread terrorism, committed human rights abuses and made the world unsafe again.
Therefore we must provide religious education is also a good knowledge so that our children are not falling and easily influenced by something that is in the name of religion or organization that is not true.
We must also support the government and its apparatus to crack down on all forms of terrorism as well as to oversee the activities of the organization in the territory of the state.

[Sithara007]

maybe ISIS has secret agenda on why they are using their religion on their act of terrorism and forces many people to convert to their religion so that they will not be killed.

It is understandable. The ISIS claims that they are following the purest form of Islam. As per the Quran and the Hadiths, the infidels living in a Muslim majority nation are having three choices:

1. Immigrate to a non-Muslim nation
2. Convert to Islam
3. Pay the Jizya tax

[twingotape]

A Muslim is someone who follows or practices Islam, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion. Muslims consider the Quran (Koran), their holy book, to be the verbatim word of God as revealed to the Islamic prophet and messenger Muhammad. accndg to Wikipedia

But sometimes there are people using it for their own interest.

[Prem.Soorajpaul]

As long as they are Muslim children, I don't have an issue. But I heard that in Syria and Iraq, they are abducting Yazidi and Christian children, and forcing hem to become suicide bombers.