KARAPATAN, a human rights group, slammed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for allegedly violating the international humanitarian law and its own unilateral ceasefire.
Karapatan Southern Mindanao Region spokesperson Jay Apiag said on Friday, February 3, at UCCP Haran compound, that amid the existing ceasefire declaration of both the Philippine Government and National Democratic Front of the Philippines, they documented cases of military encampment, operations, threats and even killings of peasants and lumad leaders in various areas in Mindanao.
This, despite the government's reaffirmation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law during the first round of peace talks in Oslo, Norway.
“The NPA's (New People’s Army’s) decision to withdraw their ceasefire must not surprise the GPH (Government of the Philippines) because since August last year we have reported and documented several grave rights violations in communities in the guise of peace and development outreach program of the AFP,” Apiag said.
The NPA on Wednesday announced truce withdrawal effective February 10 following the lack of action of the government to release over 400 political prisoners including sick and elderly, and alleged harassments perpetrated by militiamen masquerading in their “Oplan Bayanihan” programs in Mindanao's remote areas.
Apiag cited the communities militarized by AFP are in New Bataan, Compostela, Monkayo, Mabini, Pantukan and Maragusan in Compostela Valley, Caraga in Davao Oriental, and Makilala, Kidapawan, President Roxas, Antipas, Arakan and Magpet in North Cotabato.
The spokesperson called on President Rodrigo Duterte to look into his troops and always uphold civilian supremacy and the interest of the marginalized sectors to pursue peace talks. On the other hand, the exodus for justice and peace (EJP) respected NPA's decision.
“We hope both parties continue to pursue the substantive agenda of peace talks that is the socio-economic reforms, and meeting this requirement along with the release of political prisoners which can build a stronger ground for the call of ceasefire,” Bishop Hamuel Tequis, convener of EJP said.
He added EJP will continue to complement the journey to peace of these parties by continuing its advocacy and education in the communities in Mindanao.
KARAPATAN (Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights) is a Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) umbrella front organization that consists of some 40 or more local and regional human rights groups.
ReplyDeleteThe Exodus for Justice and Peace (EJP)is a pro-CPP nongovernmental organization. Some observers characterize the group (EJP) as a CPP front organization.
Both KARAPATAN and the EJP routinely criticize and falsely accuse units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) of committing massive human rights abuses while turning a blind eye toward the human rights depredations of the Maoist New People's Army (NPA).