Manila, May 19 -- The Philippine Army (PA) on Tuesday asked militant groups why a number of their members have ended up caught in between the government's armed encounters with communist rebels.

In a statement, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said responsibility for the "tragic loss of young lives falls squarely on the Kabataan Party-List [and militant group] Anakbayan, and their allied front organizations that radicalize the youth and lead them into armed struggle."

"We challenge these groups to answer one critical question they have been evading for so long: 'Why do your members consistently end up in combat zones, wielding firearms against government forces?" he asked, in the wake of the recent deadly clashes in Toboso and Cauaya...