The Special Office for the Protection of Children of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines strongly condemns the recent arrest of two year old Althea Mapula and 13-year old Janrex Mapula by state forces of the 22nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army(IBPA).

Althea and Janrex were arrested by state forces last June 28, 2021 together with their uncle Alvin Mapula, a farmer. Family members immediately went to the military camp to search for the three. The family members who went to the military camp to search for those arrested were also arrested including the children they brought with them namely: Angel Mapula, 12 years old; Rey Mapula, 4; RJ Mapula, 7; and Renz Guelas, 13.

The Special Office for the Protection of Children demands the immediate release of Althea Mapula, Alvin Mapula, Janrex Mapula, Rey Mapula, RJ Mapula, Renz Guelas and the other members of their family who were arrested only because they were searching for their family members.

We call on all to condemn these arrests and other forms of harrassments in the strongest terms’and campaign to demand their immediate release.

Stop targeting children!
Children should be protected, cared for and nurtured, not arrested!