SCHOOL FOR MILITARY PURPOSES ILLEGAL
[PHOTO - A shelter on the
grounds of Sadanga National High School, Mountain Province, used as quarters by
soldiers of the 54th IB, Charlie Company, on November 18, 2011. © 2011 Jake Scobey-Thal/Human Rights Watch]
MANILA,
DECEMBER 2, 2011 (TRIBUNE) By Michaela P. del Callar - A
New York-based human rights watchdog yesterday asked the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) to cease the unlawful use of schools for military purposes and
criticized President Aquino's government for its failure to stop the practice.
A 1992 law prohibits the use of schools for military purposes due to abuses
under the government of late strongman Ferdinand Marcos. Violations of the ban,
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said, "runs counter to statements by President Benigno
Aquino III that he would end human rights abuses by the Philippine Armed
Forces."
The group, which conducted an eight-day investigation in the Cordillera
Autonomous Region in Northern Luzon, found five cases in which the military had
used parts of functioning schools as barracks or bases for military detachments
since 2009.
The military use of schools lasted for periods ranging from three months to
more than a year, it said.
"Establishing army camps at schools puts both children's security and their
education at risk," said Bede Sheppard, HRW senior children's rights researcher.
"Schools should be places for learning and play, free from fear."
[PHOTO - A baskteball hoop installed by the military in Gueday,
Mountain Province, with the word "ARMY" written on the backboard, during 2010. ©
2011 Bede Sheppard/Human Rights Watch]
The group interviewed more than 20 principals, teachers and government
officials in the region and many expressed grave concerns about both the
potential for attacks on their schools by rebels brought on by the military
presence, and the possibility of inappropriate conduct by soldiers toward the
students.
"President Aquino should order the troops to get out and stay out of
schools," Sheppard said.
Cordillera has been affected by a long-running armed conflict between the
Philippine government and the communist New People's Army (NPA) insurgency. Both
government forces and the rebels in the area have been implicated in serious
violations of the laws of war.
Communist rebels have been waging a war against the Philippine government
since 1969 in one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies and the on and off
peace negotiations has failed to end the decades-long rebellion.
The Maoist insurgent movement, whose membership ballooned to more than 26,000
in the mid-1980s, has dwindled to some 4,000 armed members, according to
military estimates.
"The community was worried that something might happen between the two
groups," a teacher told HRW, speaking of government troops previously based at
her school and the NPA.
A teacher from another school used recently by troops expressed concern that
accident is waiting to happen as schoolchildren may play with firearms
carelessly left unattended by the soldiers within the campus.
School officials also said the presence of troops in their schools distracted
students from their studies and created an inappropriate environment for
children by bringing weapons, alcohol and pornography onto school grounds.
The laws of war prohibit attacks on schools unless they are being used for
military purposes, and limit such use by parties to the conflict. The extended
military use of schools may also violate students' right to education under
international human rights law.
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All
rights reserved
PHILIPPINE
HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE
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