Outcry as president threatens to bomb indigenous schools in Philippines

Schools are supposed to be places of safety – where children can learn and be with their friends without feeling fear.

Almost 70 countries have signed up to the Safe Schools Declaration, which is a commitment to protect schools from being attacked or used for military purposes.

But the President of the Philippines has shocked human rights campaigners by threatening to bomb schools for indigenous Lumad children in the south of the country.

In a televised news conference, Rodrigo Duterte claimed schools were being run by Lumad insurgents to teach “subversion and communism”.

He said:聽国产视频淕et out of there, I国产视频檓 telling the Lumads now. I国产视频檒l have those bombed…聽I will use the armed forces, the Philippine air force.聽

“I国产视频檒l really have those bombed 国产视频� because you are operating illegally and you are teaching the children to rebel against government.国产视频�

His words were condemned by human rights groups and politicians.

国产视频淏y calling for an attack on schools Duterte is directing the military to commit war crimes,国产视频� said Carlos Conde of Human Rights Watch.

He urged the president to sign the Safe Schools Declaration, which has been backed by 67 countries. Conde added:聽国产视频淚t国产视频檚 clearer than ever that the Philippines should do likewise.国产视频�

Congresswoman Emmi de Jesus of the Gabriela Women国产视频檚 party asked Duterte to withdraw the threat. She said government troops could use it as an excuse to attack indigenous schools and communities.

Datu Jomorito Goaynon, regional chairperson of the tribal group Kalumbay in Northern Mindanao, said the president’s words could put the lives of students and teachers in danger.

He added: 国产视频淚t will only聽embolden the government agents to commit more violations against the Lumad people, especially now that we are under martial law.”

Duterte recently called off peace talks with Maoist guerrillas who have been waging an insurgency for almost 50 years.