OPAPP forms inter-agency monitoring body on Human Rights violations

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 19): OPAPP forms inter-agency monitoring body on Human Rights violations

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has formed an inter-agency body that will monitor alleged human rights violations committed by government and communist rebels. In a press statement, OPAPP Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles said the establishment of an inter-agency monitoring body on human rights violations underscores the Government of the Philippines’ (GPH) strong commitment to the achievement of peace.

“We have long recognized that respect for human rights is an indispensable ingredient in establishing and maintaining genuine peace,” Deles said at the signing of Terms of Reference (TOR) of the Complaints Monitoring Working Group (CMWG) held at the Astoria Plaza in Pasig City on November 8.

The CMWG is an inter-agency body tasked to monitor alleged human rights violations of both the security forces of the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People’s Army and the National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF).
The GPH Monitoring Committee (MC), the government component of the Joint Monitoring Committee formed to monitor compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), heads the CMWG with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Department of Justice (DOJ) as members.

Deles said the TOR emphatically reaffirms the government’s commitment to uphold human rights and international humanitarian law.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1421353295431