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During an armed operation in a Philippine province, AFP units with a Local Civilian-Military Operations Team strike a five-story university research complex located near a residential neighborhood. Civilians, including students, faculty, and nearby residents, are inside. The basement houses a covert insurgent command post and weapons cache; the upper floors contain lecture halls and a student union. The authorities claim the complex is being used to plan attacks and that civilians were warned to evacuate. Analyze the legality of the attack under the principle of distinction in international humanitarian law.
(a) State the controlling rule governing protection of civilians applicable to this scenario.
(b) Distinguish civilian objects from military objectives and explain how a university building that houses civilian functions may nonetheless be a legitimate target if a portion is used for military purposes by insurgents, including the requirement of proportionality.
(c) Apply the rule to the facts and determine whether the attack complies with the doctrine of distinction and proportionality, and outline the possible consequences for the responsible actors under Philippine law.