TACLOBAN CITY — A clash between government troops and communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Babaclayon, San Jose de Buan, Samar took a horrifying turn on 3 December when the NPA allegedly seized a child and used him as a human shield — an act that cost the lives of two soldiers.

Brigadier General Arlino Sendaydiego, Commander of the 801st Infantry Brigade, condemned the incident in the strongest terms, calling the NPA’s actions “reprehensible, inhuman, and a blatant violation of International Humanitarian Law.”

“This incident reveals the CNTs’ (Communist-NPA-Terrorists) complete disregard for human life. By using a child as a human shield, they endangered an innocent life and caused the deaths of two soldiers who chose discipline and compassion over immediate retaliation,” Sendaydiego said.

San Jose de Buan Mayor Christal Jean Elizalde echoed the outrage, labeling the act “inhuman” and demanding accountability from those responsible.

Using children as human shields is considered a grave war crime under international law. The Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol I explicitly prohibit the use of protected persons — including children, women, the elderly, and all civilians — as shields during armed conflict. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court also classifies it as a war crime, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child guarantees a child’s right to safety even in wartime. This principle is firmly established as customary international law.

According to the military, the encounter began after residents reported NPA fighters forcibly occupying private homes and turning them into hideouts — another violation of humanitarian law. When soldiers moved in to protect civilians, they were met with heavy gunfire.

In the middle of the firefight, the NPA allegedly grabbed a child and held him in front of them, preventing the soldiers from firing back. Two soldiers were fatally hit as a result.

The 8th Infantry Division said they are extending full assistance and military honors to the fallen soldiers’ families. Pursuit operations have been launched to track down the rebels involved.

“The 8th Infantry Division reaffirms its unwavering commitment to protecting communities, upholding International Humanitarian Law, and conducting all operations with the highest professionalism and respect for human rights,” the division said.