Army condemns NPA for using school children, teachers as human shield in Comval town

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 29): Army condemns NPA for using school children, teachers as human shield in Comval town

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) here criticized the New People’s Army (NPA) over an incident where rebels used the school premises as cover and the children and teachers as shields in Compostela Valley town.

Elements of 46th Infantry Battalion, while conducting their Peace and Development Outreach Program in Barangay Anitapan, Mabini town, Compostela Valley on Tuesday were fired upon by the NPA rebels belonging to Guerrilla Front 2 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee who have positioned themselves inside the school premises in the place.

10th Infantry Division commander Major General Rafael Valencia said the soldiers did not retaliate from the firing of the NPAs for fear they might hit the teachers and children at the school premises.

There were no casualties reported on the government side after four minutes of indiscriminate firing from the side of the rebels but the incident had caused trauma to teachers and students, Valencia said.

“We strongly condemn this cowardly act of the NPA,” Valencia said, as he challenged the group Save our School Network (SOS-Network) to also look into the matter.

SOS-Network has been advocating for the protection of Lumad schools in Mindanao and has been accusing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) of occupying school premises in villages during the conduct of military operations.

The SOS, Valencia said, should “conduct an investigation on this incident since they claim to be protecting the schoolchildren and teachers away from conflict and should castigate the NPAs of their violations.”

The army’s 1001st Brigade also called on the rebels “not to use the schoolchildren as human shield and not use the schools as cover."

The brigade, in a statement on Friday, also assured NPAs that their rights will be respected by the soldiers if they wish to return back to the folds of the law or may be captured during encounters.

“NPAs are encouraged to return back to the folds of the law and go back to their communities and families to live peaceful lives.”

The brigade added that grievances can be addressed and the local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders are willing to assist them to live productive lives in their respective communities.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=851923