Davao City Council asks military to move detachments away from population centers

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 10): Davao City Council asks military to move detachments away from population centers

The Sangguniang Panlungsod passed a resolution on Friday calling for the pullout of military detachments from civilian communities in the city and its outlying villages. In a special session, members of the city council said the resolution was aimed at preventing civilians from being caught in the crossfire between government troops and New People’s Army rebels.... In the resolution, the city council asked the military to relocate detachments, especially those barangay halls and other public buildings, and to refrain from using civilian structures for military purposes. “Such detachments have to be pulled out,” the resolution said, adding that such military structures were “detrimental to the lives of the residents and school children.” Paquibato is among the hinterland districts of the city, where the NPA operates. “The situation in Paquibato is cause for alarm since the mere presence of armed men in uniform threatens and even endangers the lives of many people, including communities nearby,” Councilor Leah Librado said. “The situation is disturbing even to non-residents like us, knowing that communities could be hit in the crossfire should hostilities take place.”  The resolution also warned the military against setting up any more military detachments or similar structures near schools and population centers.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/305074/davao-city-council-asks-military-to-move-detachments-away-from-population-centers