Rebel group names

Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) “Bearer of the Sword”

 

Background Information

ASG formed when the group broke away from MNLF in 1990,[1] because of Misuari’s (the leader of MNLF) perceived move toward a peaceful resolution. While they share the desire for an independent Islamic state in the Philippines, they have the larger goal of “pan-Islamic super-state in southeast Asia.”[2]

 

Funding

“ASG has received funding from a variety of sources. Mohammad Jamal Khalifa, a wealthy Saudi businessman who is notorious for funding Islamic extremist movements around the world, is said to be a main financier of ASG. Drug trafficking has also aided in financing the terrorist group; ASG claims to have received arms, ammunition, and explosives from sources in Libya, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries… ASG has received upwards of $6 million from foreign sources, including al Qaeda and Libya. In recent years, financing from foreign sources has declined and the group has turned to financing through criminal means.[3] Besides kidnapping, which has made the group infamous, ASG members also cultivate marijuana for sale, as well as extort money from local businesses.”[4]

 

Estimated number of child soldiers held by rebels

The group is estimated to number around 500 armed members, with 15-30% being under 18 years of age.[5]

 

Temporal scope

Since their formation in the early 1990s, they have recruited youths but there are no reports distinguishing if college age or under-18s were initially recruited, or if there was a switch in the recruitment pool.

 

Age

Child soldiers in the group are usually between the ages of 13-16 years.[6]

 

Recruitment method

As of 2002, they were reported to be recruiting from secondary schools and college students in Zamboanga City. [7] They also recruit through religious activities, and offered a salary, firearms, and scholarships to go abroad after they finish training.[8]

 

DDR (disarmament, demobilization, reintegration) program

Policy in place that states that any persons under 18 who are arrested related to armed conflict be detained separately from adults, provided with immediate free legal assistance, have their parents or guardians contacted immediately, and to be transferred within 24 hours into the custody for the Department of Social Welfare and Development.[9] There are additional provisions, , that the government protect the child from any further “exploitation or trauma”, including exposure to media, except when national security demands it. [10]

 

Other human rights violations

Began with terrorist attacks on non-believers, in particular Christians, in order to ensure a Islamic state. In their first years they committed 67 attacks killing over 100 people. Now they are more known for kidnappings-for-ransom and large scale bombings. [11]They have also been involved in a number of “hostage-taking incidents” in the southern Philippines[12] and have been presumed responsible for bomb attacks that have claimed 1,700 casualties since January 2000.[13] Minors are often not recruited for actual combat, but are instead used as human shields and hostages.[14]

 

Government’s human rights violations

“Children in areas with insurgent activity have been at risk of ill-treatment by government armed forces. Of 415 cases of child torture from 1976 to 1996, 326 involved children between 15 and 18 years of age who were ‘suspected of being either members of armed dissent groups or supporters/sympathisers of rebel movements.’”[15]

 

Other relevant information

The island of Midanao, on which many groups including NPA, MILF, MNLF, Abu Sayyaf function, has the highest number of child soldiers in the Philippines.[16]

 

References/Citations

 

Caramés, A., Fisas, V., & Sanz E. (2005). PHILIPPINES (Mindanao-MNLF). Agencia Catalana de

Cooperacio al Desenvolupament, Retrieved from: http://philippineculture.ph/filer/filipinasi.pdf

 

Institute for the Study of Violent Groups (ISVG): Abu Sayyaf Group. (2012). Retrieved

from: http://vkb.isvg.org/Wiki/Groups/Abu_Sayyaf_Group_(ASG)?highlight=ASG

 

Makinano, M. (2002). Child Soldiers in the Philippines. Retrieved from:

http://www.academia.edu/316299/Child_Soldiers_In_the_Philippines#

 

Thomas Reuters Foundation (Reuters). (2012). Philippines-Mindanao conflict. Retrieved from:

http://www.trust.org/spotlight/philippines-mindanao-conflict/

 

Thomas, B. (2012). You Can Help Rescue Child Soldiers in Mindanao. Project AK-47. Retrieved

from: http://projectak47blog.com/you-can-help-rescue-child-soldiers-in-mindanao/

 

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

(2001). Child soldiers global report 2001. Retrieved from: http://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?page=country&category=&publisher=CSCOAL&type=ANNUALREPORT&coi=PHL&rid=4562d8cf2&docid=498805d7c&skip=0

           

(2004). Child soldiers global report 2004. Retrieved from: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.child-soldiers.org%2Fuser_uploads%2Fpdf%2Fphilippines4261700.pdf&ei=TECoUa_NA6yM0QGFzIGYBw&usg=AFQjCNHiPiu7E7S9TSk2Od1JpljQmt52lQ&sig2=3eq4r8RWMv5JFBgBieA9DA&bvm=bv.47244034,d.eWU

 

(2008). Child soldiers global report 2008. Retrieved from: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&cad=rja&ved=0CFoQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.child-soldiers.org%2Fuser_uploads%2Fpdf%2Fphilippines6527118.pdf&ei=4yqoUYHhFIbg8wSynYHQDg&usg=AFQjCNE-pEg8XBmIpwnKtGW2a8HVSqyzkQ&sig2=DIgT1ZkkXWNd-AQUkBJGeA&bvm=bv.47244034,d.eWU