HUMAN rights group Karapatan is set to file charges before the City Prosecution Office against Philippines Army officers for alleged abuses in Maco and Mabini towns in
“We are just preparing the papers in the filing the
charges,” said Hanimay Suazo, secretary general of Karapatan.
Suazo added that their complaints were based on the results
of the group’s fact-finding mission in Maco and Mabini on April 7-8.
According to their report, the 71st Infantry Battalion of
the 7th Infantry Division was present in almost all communities while the 25th
Infantry Battalion of the 10th Infantry Division are situated at barangays New
Leyte and Panoraon in Maco.
The group 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 claimed that militarization puts the civilians
vulnerable to abuses.
Karapatan conducted the fact-finding in response to the
requests of Hugpong sa mga Mag-uuma sa Walog Compostela and Indug Kautawan.
Meanwhle, Maj. Gen. Eduardo Ano, commander of the 10th
Infantry Division, said the leadership gives importance on the respect for
human rights and international humanitarian law.
“We strictly follow this directive and any infraction will
be investigated and dealt with accordingly. Gone are the days that the soldiers
figure in abuses,” Ano pointed out.
He said soldiers under the 10th Infantry Division are
focused on peace and development programs in the barangays, where they help
residents ventilate pressing issues and problems and elevate these concerns to
the local government and line agencies for action.
http://mindanaotimes.net/karapatan-prepares-case-vs-military-over-alleged-abuses/
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