NO OPTION, BUT TO FIGHT! by Dr. Nymia Pimentel-Simbulan, Business World, 2 January 2006
Dr. Nymia-Pimentel Simbulan is a professor of Sociology in the Department of Behavioral Sciences, University of the Philippines-Manila.
She is currently the director of the Office of the Student Affairs of UP Manila and the executive director of the Philippine Human Rights Information Center (PhilRights). She obtained her bachelor's degree in Sociology from UP Diliman and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Public Health from UP Manila.
Guide Questions
1. Based on the existing literature, define human rights.
2. Compare and contrast CAFGU from AFP.
3. What is the profile of a typical child soldier in the Philippines?
4. What are the factors which led to the children's involvement in armed conflicts (CIAC)? Which of them would you think as the most compelling reason for the CIAC phenomenon?
5. What makes ideology and political cause very pronounced among children belonging to MILF as their motivation to participate in the armed conflict?
6. According to the book, "DEADLY PLAYGROUNDS: THE PHENOMENON OF CHILD SOLDIERS IN THE PHILIPPINES," why do children join armed groups out of their personal conviction/choice (i.e., in the absence of coercion and torture)?
7. In light of the CIAC phenomenon, what are the risks involved that jeopardize the welfare of the children?
8. In the Philippine experience, what are the root causes of armed struggle in general?
9. Differentiate state and non-state armed groups.
10.Why should the problem of CIAC be addressed in synergy?
