And some believe that BDF soldiers are trained to kill, but Garcia explained that soldiers are given specific training to handle situations both in the jungles and in the urban setting. They're also taught how to interact with civilians. And while this was a black eye for the organizations, Garcia says it can act as a learning opportunity.
Lt. Col. Brandon Garcia, Acting Deputy Commander, BDF
"We sensitize and educate our soldiers, we provide psycho-social support, we provide sensitization on humanitarian law because both when they are deployed in the jungle, on the borders, or in the urban environment, these things apply. We also ensure that the soldier has some form of resilient training and this is on our training syllabus throughout the force. This is done to ensure that the members of this prestigious organization are physically, mentally, and spiritually robust. We also educate our soldiers so that they can treat civilians humanely."
"We are conducting several studies but it is not something that is habitual. Soldiers are usually briefed to act professionally or to behave professionally in any working environment. This also allows- we tend to look at way how we can improve and if I had the cure for human nature, I would administer that forthwith but we can only, base on the dynamic and fluid environment member of the force operate in, things can change in an instant, so to mitigate that all we can do is offer the various support we mentioned earlier."
Raheem Williams has been arraigned and remanded to prison for murder.
