Coni Ledesma on the violation of children’s rights in the Philippines

Welcome to Radyo Pawikan. In today’s episode, we take a look at
grave children’s rights violations committed by the current Marcos
Jr. administration and his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte. Children
are afforded special protections under international humanitarian
law especially in the context of civil war. At least 122 children,
including a one-year old have been killed during Duterte’s war on
drugs in the Philippines. In the first six months of the Marcos Jr.
administration, there have been at least 12 children and minors
killed including the case of brothers Ben, 15 years old, and Raven,
12 years old who were killed by the AFP’s 94th Infantry Batallion
last year in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental in what is now
known as the Fausto Massacre. Today we are joined by Ka Coni
Ledesma, head of the NDFP Special Office for the Protection of
Children and member of the NDFP peace negotiating panel.