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| Image courtesy of Karapatan-Southern Tagalog |
October 17, 2012
Media Release
COMPLAINTS ON THE VIOLATION OF CARHRIHL SUBMITTED TO THE JOINT MONITORING COMMITTEE OF THE GPH AND THE NDFP
Today, October 17, families who have lost their kin to the civil war between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) will be filing complaints on the violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The cases regarding the incident in Tineg, Abra last October 10, 2011 and the cases of the incident in San Narciso, Quezon last June 30, 2012 will be filed at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Joint Monitoring Committee of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
The complaints submitted expressed the desecration of the remains of the 8 and 11 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Tineg and San Narciso, Quezon respectively. The appropriate collection of the remains was not also ensured depriving the slain NPAs the right to decent burial. The complaints also stated strong indications of inhumane treatment and that most of those who died during the two separate incidents were not given quarter or were not spared their lives especially those who, at the time of the encounter, were already in no position to defend themselves (hors de combat).
Named as perpetrators of the CARHRIHL violations in the Tineg, Abra incident are Lt. Jeson Capoquian of the 41st IBPA who led the assault and all the other unidentified troops attached to the 41stIBPA of the 503rd Brigade, Col. Noel Baluyan – commanding officer of the 41st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and Col. Eliseo Posadas – commanding officer of the 503rd Brigade. The perpetrators in the San Narciso, Quezon incident is 74thIBPA based in Mulanay, Quezon.
The families call for the immediate investigation of the said incidents and that appropriate sanctions be made against those who will be found guilty of violating the CARHRIHL.
The civil war in the country is a gaping wound that is testament to social injustice and the crying need for change and genuine peace.
The Cordillera Human Rights Alliance and Karapatan-Southern Tagalog are in solidarity with the courageous families who filed the complaints to seek justice for their kin despite the fear of the State’s practice to retaliate against those who speak the truth. We condemn the violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and the Republic Act 9851, otherwise known as the “Philippine Act on Crimes against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes against Humanity” committed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The incidents are not a cause for jubilation to people who firmly believe that the basic human right to dignity, whether armed or civilian, should be respected at all times.
We call on President Aquino to resume the peace talks with the NDFP and fully respect and implement the CARHRIHL. We firmly believe that genuine peace is not a product of compromises but is borne out of addressing the roots of the armed conflict and the realization of social justice.
STRUGGLE FOR PEACE BASED ON JUSTICE!
IMPLEMENT THE CARHRIHL!
RESUME THE GRP/GPH-NDFP PEACE TALKS!
For reference:
Jude Baggo
Secretary General
Cordillera Human Rights Alliance