Saturday, July 19, 2008 Another NGO hails ban of soldiers in campuses By Grace L. Plata
CHILDREN'S rights group Kabiba Alliance for Children's Concerns in Mindanao (Kabiba) lauded the Davao City council for passing a resolution banning armed groups and encampments in school campuses.
"Kabiba lauds city councilors for their initiative in passing that very significant and pro-children resolution. Indeed, the state's primary obligation is to protect the interests of children," Honey Mae Suazo, executive secretary of Kabiba, said Friday.
Suazo added that the encampments of military forces in public and civilian populace -- especially schools, hospitals, clinics, and barangay halls -- are "a grave violation of children's rights."
"In that case, they are endangering the lives of civilians especially children who are the most vulnerable in times of armed conflict," Suazo said.
She added that Kabiba will support the resolution and urged all public officials to be active in protecting the children.
"We hope that the City Council will give emphasis on the pull-out of troops in public places. And that other public officials will emulate this example especially those in the provinces where there is intense military operation," Suazo said.
Kabiba also urged new Regional Peace and Order Council Chair (RPOC) and Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Ra Cagas to have more actions on the matter.
"We welcome his statement on military pullout in schools and we hope for more concrete actions on the matter," she said.
The same appeal may fall on deaf ears as Cagas is reportedly no longer keen on continuing as RPOC chair after finding out that there is no funds available for the council.
