Compostela Valley remains haven of military abuses, Karapatan says

From the Mindanao Times (Apr 16): Compostela Valley remains haven of military abuses, Karapatan says

MILITARY abuses continue to be prevalent in Compostela Valley with the presence of two infantry battalions in the area, human rights group Karapatan claimed.

Hanimay Suazo, Karapatan secretary general, revealed the results of the group’s fact-finding mission in Maco and Mabini towns on April 7-8 during a press conference yesterday.

“These mission areas are inflicted by the heavy presence of 71st Infantry Battalion Philippine Army of 7th Infantry Division in almost all communities, and 25th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army of 10th Infantry Division particularly at barangays New Leyte and Panoraon in Maco,” Suazo said.

“Based on a two-day mission, the team has documented and verified 40 incidents/cases of different types of human rights and international humanitarian law violations affecting 7,501 households and 32,261 individuals, including children,” Suazo added.

Karapatan conducted the fact-finding in response to the requests of Hugpong sa mga Mag-uuma sa Walog Compostela and Indug Kautawan.

Apart from alleged militarization, mining companies also continue to exploit the resources and create fear among the residents by employing private armies or including men in uniform in their payroll.

Among the recommendations in the report were

-        To strengthen the government’s preventive measures against human rights abuses;

-        Fort he 71st and 25th IBs to pull out of the communities;

-        To resume peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

Karapatan also dared the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to investigate cases of human rights and international humanitarian law violations, and recommend the filing of charges and prosecution of perpetrators.

However, Lt. Vergel Lacambra, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, denied all the allegations and challenged the groups to prove their accusation by submitting their evidence before his office.

“Military encampment in barangay halls and schools is not allowed,” Lacambra said, adding that soldiers do not set up camps in communities unless they are requested by the residents themselves.

Meanwhile, members of the indigenous people’s group Karadyawan staged a protest in front of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) office in SIR New Matina yesterday morning to complain against the ‘alamara’ and all paramilitary groups.

Datu Maintroso Malibato, spokesperson of Karadyawan, said they disarmed the Citizen’s Armed Force Geographical Units (Cafgu) and all paramilitary units operating in Kapalong.

Malibato added that they condemned the continuing militarization in the Lumad communities.

http://mindanaotimes.net/compostela-valley-remains-haven-of-military-abuses-karapatan-says/