No rights violations in clashes, CHR says

From the Visayan Daily Star (Nov 11): No rights violations in clashes, CHR says


The Commission on Human Rights said yesterday that there are no reports of human rights violations, so far, on the weekend encounter between government troops and suspected New People’s Army rebels in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.


CHR-Negros Oriental investigator, Jess Cañete, said he had spoken to barangay officials and residents of Mani-ac and neighboring areas Sunday, hours after two clashes in the barangay and it showed that nobody had complained of human rights violations. Cañete, however said it is still too early to tell. His office is open in case of complaints, he added.


One alleged rebel was killed, and a soldier slightly wounded during the encounters Sunday in Sitios Magkaatip and Nabuswangan in Barangay Mani-ac, where an abandoned camp, believed to be that of the NPA, was discovered.


Army troopers of the 11th Infantry Battalion based in Guihulngan City had engaged the suspected armed men in 20 minutes of firefight before the latter fled, leaving behind their dead companion.


Cañete said his presence was requested to ascertain that no human rights were violated and that the operations were legitimate and that, there was indeed an armed engagement.


This is a protocol earlier agreed on by the CHR, the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police in the province as part of government campaign to promote respect for human rights, he said.


He also said he wanted to take a look at the dead “rebel” to see if there is a probability the man died of “combat wounds”, instead of just from an ordinary shooting spree.


The residents told Cañete that the encounter was legitimate, with sporadic gunfire heard from various directions. While they assured that there were no human rights violated however they expressed fear of more armed clashes, and have considered evacuating.


Cañete said he and the Army officials urged the resident to remain in their homes as they are assured of their safety.


http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/November/11/negor3.htm