Armed or Not, They are Children: A Primer on the Use of Children as Soldiers in the Philippines
Philippine Coalition to Stop the Use of Children as Soldiers
E-mail: amnestypilipinas@meridantelekoms.net, birthdev@pinoymail.com, prights@tri-isys.com, pstcids@edsamail.com.ph

This primer gives an overview of the situations of child soldiers in the Philippines. It briefly explores the reasons and factors, which lead the children to join, voluntarily or involuntarily, armed groups. It includes legislation and programs that the government has implement to curb the problem on child soldiers. Lastly, it put forth recommendations to the government, non-state actors, local communities, NGOs and stakeholders for the protection of rights and welfare of these children and the eventual elimination of the use of child soldiers in armed conflict