Amid the ongoing military operations against Abu Sayyaf forces in Basilan, a Catholic bishop on Wednesday questioned the competence of military schools in the country and highlighted the need for re-evaluation.
Bishop Martin Jumoad of the prelature of Isabela de Basilan said there was a need to reassess the efficiency of teaching and training of soldiers in military schools to ensure that they can defend the country from any threats against national security.
鈥淢aybe the government must re-visit and re-evaluate our military schools, if our military schools are really relevant because they could not conquer the Abu Sayyaf who are not, who don鈥檛 have any formal schooling so yun ang problema, 鈥榶un ang problema talaga ano epektibo pa ba ang military natin?鈥� Jumoad said over church-run Radyo Veritas.
鈥淗ow come na dito sa Basilan palagi silang palaging dehado ang military, ano ba talaga? I am sad and I am angry at the same time because bakit nagkaganyan?鈥� he added.
Jumaoad鈥檚 remarks came after 18 government soldiers, mostly from the Philippine Army鈥檚 44th Infantry Battalion, were ambushed and killed in a nearly 10-hour fight with Abu Sayyaf members last Saturday.
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