The Philippine Air Force (PAF) acknowledged the concerns raised by residents and indigenous peoples from several barangays in Capas, Tarlac over ongoing protests involving the military reservation at Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base, also known as Crow Valley.

PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Basco said the reservation area is used for the military’s live-fire exercises, making it unsafe for civilians to stay within its boundaries.

“Doon po kasi natin kino-conduct ’yung ating live fire exercises. ‘Yung mga kababayan natin, it’s unsafe basically for them kaya nga pinapakiusapan na kapag mayroong live fire exercises ay i-clear ang area,” Basco said.

She acknowledged that clearing the area can be challenging at times but emphasized that the PAF continues to urge residents to leave the site whenever live-fire exercises are being conducted to ensure their safety.

Basco also said the PAF has been coordinating with the concerned local government units, the National Housing Authority, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, human rights authorities, land management agencies, and other government offices as part of due process toward a peaceful resolution of the issue.