Military files 19 cases of rights violations vs NPA

From Malaya Business Insight (Jul 18): Military files 19 cases of rights violations vs NPA

THE military has lodged 19 complaints against the New People’s Army for violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) in the Davao and Soccsksargen regions.

The complaints covering the period of February last year to January this year were filed last month by the Army’s 10th Infantry Division before the Joint Monitoring Committee, a body established as part of the peace process between the government and the communist National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

Copies of the complaints were also sent to the government’s chief negotiator, Labor Secretary Bello III, and NDF chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili, said Capt. Rhyan Batchar, public affairs officer of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division.

A fifth round of peace negotiations is scheduled on May 27 to June 1 in the Netherlands.

“The 10th ID hopes that these violations of CARHRIHL will be discussed by the peace panels and appropriate actions be taken to stop the wanton violation of human rights and international humanitarian law committed by the CPP-NPA against the Filipino people,” said Batchar.

Forged in March 1998, CARHRIHL calls for respect for the lives, dignity, human rights, political convictions, and moral and physical integrity of combatants and non-combatants.

Batchar said five of the rebel violations were committed in South Cotabato, four in Sarangani, three each in North Cotabato and Davao del Sur, two in Davao Oriental, and one each in Davao Occidental and Compostela Valley.
Batchar said 15 of the 19 violations were committed against civilians.

“These include the burning of nine civilian vehicles, attack and burning of four civilian companies’ equipment and facilities, the murder of a civilian and the harassment of another civilian,” he said.

He said four of these violations were against soldiers and militiamen, including mutilation of the remains of three soldiers slain by NPA rebels.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/military-files-19-cases-rights-violations-vs-npa-0