links: https://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/8-afp-news/1058-afp-calls-on-victims-to-file-human-rights-case-against-npa
AFP calls on victims to file Human Rights case against NPA
CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday called on all the victims of human rights violations to file cases against the New People’s Army (NPA) with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
“We call on all the civilians including business owners who are victims of humanitarian crimes perpetrated by the NPA, to lodge their complaints with the Commission on Human Rights,” said Major General Edgardo De Leon, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3.
The AFP’s Operations Chief spoke during the virtual press conference of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) which highlights the 32nd anniversary of the Rano Massacre.
The gruesome crime was perpetrated by the NPA on June 25, 1989 at Sitio Rano in Digos City, Davao del Sur leaving 39 including 22 children, 10 women, and seven men killed on the spot.
“The CPP led by Joma Sison should be answerable to the humanitarian crimes they have been continuously committing, particularly the instruction to produce, stockpile, and use anti-personnel mine that are destroying the human body and the dignity of our people, not only combatants but also the non-combatants,” Major General De Leon said.
He also listed down six incidents within the month of June that constituted a total of ten (10) IHL violations by the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs).
Among these were the burning down of privately-owned heavy equipment in Barangay Hagpa, Bukidnon on June 3; use of anti-personnel mines against civilians that killed athlete Keith Absalon and his cousin Nolven Absalon and wounded the latter’s 16-year-old son in Masbate on June 6; killing of a certain Ray Labustro in Masbate on June 8; and the recruitment or minors and use of child combatants in Agusan del Sur on June 14 and 15.
Most recent of the incidents was the deliberate destruction of private equipment in Lanuza, Surigao del Sur on June 24 that resulted to the death of a civilian.
Brigadier General George Banzon, Commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade in Surigao said the NPA targeted privately-owned equipment which are not military targets and are being used in the ongoing diversion road project for the municipality of Lanuza.
“We are reaching out to owners of construction companies undergoing construction projects in Surigao to please stop giving in to the NPA’s extortion demands. Please give us information so that the military and police can correspondingly react to any attempt of extortion by the CTG,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Director of the AFP Center for the Law on Armed Conflict (AFPCLOAC) Brigadier General Joel Alejandro Nacnac said the NPA’s constant attacks against private companies justify its designation as a terrorist organization.
“These are clear IHL violations committed against civilians not directly participating in hostilities. It also impedes development in our communities. This pattern of organized, orchestrated, continuing, deliberate and systematic scheme perpetrated by the CTGs justifies their designation as a terrorist organization,” he said.
Based on records by the AFPCLOAC, there were a total of 532 incidents of destruction to private properties perpetrated by the CTGs From 2010 to 2020. The highest number of incidents in a year was in 2017 with 87 incidents while most incidents were recorded in Region 13 with 107.
The AFP Chief of Staff, General Cirilito Sobejana on the other hand urged the civilian populace to join in the whole of nation approach towards peace and development.
“The AFP enjoins all stakeholders and the rest of the Filipino people to actively participate in our peace and security efforts. Let us act together for a peaceful and progressive nation because all Filipinos deserve to enjoy life to the fullest,” General Sobejana said.
AFP Websites
links:
Human Rights Advocacy Promotions | Human Rights
Home - Human rights Promotions Website
http://www.humanrightspromotions.co.nr
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