EMC head ready to answer charges filed before AIPP

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 22): EMC head ready to answer charges filed before AIPP

Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) head Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad expressed willingness on Sunday to answer the human rights complaint filed against the EMC before the Asia Indigenous Peoples' Pact (AIPP).

The charges were filed by Indigenous Peoples’ right advocates.

"But let me first clarify that the AIPP is not a United Nations body," Baladad said.

"We have no copy of their complaint but we will study this as soon as we get a copy," Baladad added.

However, the EMC chief pointed out that the issues cited in the complaint were already raised previously.

“We can hold peace and developmental activities and functions in schools, barangays, and other establishments.What is not allowed is for us to sleep there or make it our camp,” Baladad pointed out.

“We strictly adhere to the International Humanitarian Law and if AFP personnel are found guilty of violating it, rest assured that we will give the appropriate sanctions,” he said.

Moreover, Baladad condemned the aggressive attacks by the New People's Army (NPA) rebels of soft targets like innocent civilians.

“The NPAs clearly violated Republic Act No. 9851 by attacking civilians or non-combatants. Thus, we can consider them as criminals,” he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=746793