AFP will continue to sow the seeds of peace

From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 18): AFP will continue to sow the seeds of peace

While human rights groups accuse the military for being the country’s leading human rights violators, the Army leadership here in Central Mindanao said they will continue “sowing the seeds of peace” and will not tolerate any kind of abuse.

Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, head of the Maguindanao-based 6th Infantry Division (ID), reiterated that the promotion and protection of human rights is a prime advocacy of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in its paradigm shift from sole combat orientation to community and peace building.

“I will not tolerate violations of human rights,” said Gen. Pangilinan, who had led the government panel’s committee on the cessation of hostilities with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) prior to his takeover early this year of the 6th ID.

In fact, Pangilinan emphasized that the Philippine Army (PA) has integrated in-depth orientation on the International Human Rights Law into the regular Army training and advocacy.

The Army national command and its more than 10 infantry divisions and mechanized units have formed their respective civilian-run multi-sector advisory boards (MSAB) to guide soldiers in their policy-making and implementation of thrusts, partly in the observance of existing human rights laws, he said.

The 6th ID tapped 10 renowned representatives coming from the academe, youth, media, government, youth, Church, business, NGO and people’s organization in the composition of the MSAB.

The 6th ID civilian advisory board chaired by Prof. Susana Anayatin, during the recent celebration of the International Human Rights Day, gave the division’s rank and file personnel a favorable rating in upholding the principle of civilian supremacy in military undertakings.

Sources said the civilian board noted the 6th Division’s virtual “zero violation” of human rights this year, and acknowledged its vital contributions to the prospering government peace overtures with the MILF.

http://www.mb.com.ph/afp-will-continue-to-sow-the-seeds-of-peace/