This is in response to LTC Thomas Dominic Baluga’s radio interview in 107.9 Abra Radio yesterday, October 6, 2016. In the said interview, LTC. Baluga said that the they will stay in Bgy. Bazar, Sallapadan, Abra “until needed” because of the existing memorandum of understanding between the Philippine Army and the local government unit of Sallapadan.

It is clearly stated in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law that in the exercise of their inherent rights, the Parties to the armed conflict shall adhere to and be bound by the generally accepted principles and standards of international humanitarian law and that Civilian population and civilians shall be treated as such and shall be distinguished from combatants and, together with their property, shall not be the object of attack. They shall likewise be protected against indiscriminate aerial bombardment, strafing, artillery fire, mortar fire, arson, bulldozing and other similar forms of destroying lives and property, from the use of explosives as well as the stockpiling near or in their midst, and the use of chemical and biological weapons.

By staying within the community of Barangay Bazar, The Philippine Army have completely made them vulnerable to such attacks. And because the soldiers know that the New People’s Army will not attack civilians, they have opted to stay inside the community. They virtually turned the people of Sallapadan into their human shields. Col. Baluga stressed that as long as the 24th IB has a company base in Maguyepyep, they will be staying in Sallapadan. Since they have a base there, why not just stay in it rather that in the community? May we remind LTC. Baluga that the CARHRIHL is an agreement signed by the government of the Republic of the Philippines, represented by then-President Joseph Ejercito-Estrada, and by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. Are they saying that the memorandum of understanding is primal to the CARHRIHL?

May we also comment on Col. Baluga’s statement that a patrol operation is different from that of a combat operation and what you have done is allowed under the GPH’s version of the unilateral ceasefire declaration. The ceasefire is in effect and yet they launch a patrol operation. Who is the 24th IB looking for? Col. Baluga said that they were not aware that we were in Sallapadan a day before they arrived for our peace consultation. Either they have poor intelligence gathering or are making a fool out of the people, making them believe that the soldiers are not aware of our presence.

We also demand that Lt. Esguerra and the Alpha Coy of the 24th IB be reprimanded for maliciously spreading lies that the unilateral ceasefire declaration of the GPH has already lapsed. To set things clear, and in case that you do not know, there is no suspension or lifting of the unilateral ceasefire declaration issued by the NDFP and the GPH. It is still in effect up to this moment and will take effect until the respective and responsible authorities do so. We can see clearly through the 24th IB’s ploy of provoking the revolutionary forces into engaging with the troops encamped inside the community.

We would like to express that we are adhering to the ceasefire declaration of the NDFP and to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. No amount of provocation will make our resolve to peace falter. But in case of an imminent or outright attack by the reactionary forces, we are ready to defend ourselves and the people.

Respect human rights and international humanitarian law! Pull-out the 24th IB from the communities! Uphold the ceasefire declaration agreement! Struggle for just and lasting peace!

http://www.cpp.ph/demand-24th-ibs-immediate-pull-sallapadan-abra/