The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) condemns the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), specifically its troops under 2nd Infantry Battalion, for twice running to school grounds in Masbate province and firing their weapons indiscriminately, after clashes with units of the New People’s Army (NPA) in another area.

On March 20, AFP troops run to the school grounds of the Villahermoso National High School in Cawayan town, after suffering casualties after attacking an NPA unit in another part of the barangay. While in the school grounds, they fired their weapons in all direction, with a grenade exploding in the school.

On March 22, AFP troops similarly run to the school grounds and forced their way into the Locso-an National High School in Placer town, after being ambushed by the NPA in another part of the barangay.

The Party condemns the AFP for issuing false media statements claiming that the clashes with the NPA happened near the school.

Clearly, these are cases of using civilians as humand shiels that violate international humanitarian law. These dirty tactics caused grave trauma on students and their teachers.