In a dastardly act of cowardice, elements of 62nd IB conducting hot pursuit operation against the unit of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Southeast Negros that destroyed the equipment of a destructive quarry company Saturday evening resorted to using the residents in the area as protective shields for fear of attack especially at night.

Rachelle Mae Palang Command {RMPC) spokesperson Ka Estrella Banagbanag said the soldiers that encamped in Danao Elementary School near the quarry site after doing “census work” at the several houses within the vicinity instructed its inhabitants to vacate their premises and join them at night for “security ” purposes.

At least 20 individuals, in which 8 of then are minors, followed Army’s order. Many others sougth to consult their barangay officials that rightly advised them not to do so.

“Clearly, the security of the civilians is not the prime concern of the soldiers but their very own. They are using the residents for their specific security objective. This is a gross violation of not only the IHL (International Humanitarian Law) but the very Law of the GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) particularly R.A. 7610 that prohibits the use of schoosl and other civilian facilities for military purposes,” Ka Estrella added. ###