SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Tuesday vowed to exert all efforts to prevent the recruitment of child soldiers and remove the group from the UN list of armed groups using children as combatants.

The assurance came during an orientation on the UN-MILF Action Plan on the recruitment and use of children attended by UNICEF officials and MILF commanders, in Camp Darapanan here.

MILF first vice chairman Ghadzali Jaafar said they wanted to set an example to other armed groups like the New People’s Army, Abu Sayyaf and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in respecting internationally recognized children’s rights.

“We approved this code of conduct as our sincere effort to show our concern for children’s future, but it was never the policy of the MILF to use children,” Jaafar said.

“MILF is the only non-state armed group in the whole world attempting to be delisted from the list of armed groups that engage children in armed conflict and this is something very, very unique”, according to UNICEF country representative Lotta Sylwander.

She said the move would have global significance now that the group has set its eyes on developing the Bangsamoro together with the state.

In a visit last week to Camp Rajah Muda in Pikit, North Cotabato where the same orientation was held, one MILF fighter admitted it was difficult to refuse children who wanted to follow the footsteps of family members who have joined the group.