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[av_heading heading=’ Bill seeks ‘life’ for crimes vs war kids’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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Monday, June 5, 2017
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MANILA – The rights and welfare of children in war-torn areas must be protected, according to Sen. Vicente Sotto III.
Sotto filed Senate Bill No. 1474, or the “Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act,” in light of the clashes between government troops and the Maute terror group in Marawi City.
The measure penalizes anyone who kills, tortures, intentionally maims, and rapes children in conflict-ridden areas. Life imprisonment shall be imposed on anyone found guilty of committing such acts, the bill said.
Susceptible and vulnerable, children suffer more during war, Sotto lamented.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, 30,000 to 50,000 Filipino children are displaced every year because of armed conflict.
“Children affected by war are robbed of their innocence,” said Sotto. “The trauma of losing their family members, constant displacement and the disruption of their education during their formative years creates a lifelong effect of distrust and insecurity.”
“Hence, our children being the hope of our present and future nation and the foundation of a vibrant and dynamic society, should be protected,” he added./PN
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