Iloilo host dialogue for community-based human rights

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 4): Iloilo host dialogue for community-based human rights

Representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and members of the communities and civil society organizations gathered at the Grand Tower Hotel on Monday to discuss human rights promotion and protection. The two-day "community-based human rights dialogue" aimed to forge cooperative efforts for ongoing and future actions toward human rights promotion and protection. "With all military operations being guided by two equally important aspects, Adherence to Human Rights (HR), International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the Rule of Law (ROL), and all stakeholders involved in the pursuit of internal peace and security, our all out support on such dialogues shall continue", said Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta, Jr., 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division Commander.

Supported by German Hans Seidel Foundation (HSF) and the Benigno S. Aquino Foundation, the project's implementation was also spearheaded by the PNP Human Rights Affairs Office and the AFP Human Rights Office. Representing HSF was members of the Participatory Research Organization of Communities and Education Towards Struggle for Self-Reliance-Panay (PROCESS-Panay). Mabanta reiterated its call for a dialogue on Indigenous People's rights advocate groups such as BAYAN-Panay, KARAPATAN-Panay, and Cynthia Deduro, executive director of (DAGSAW) Panay-Guimaras Indigenous People’s Network and MIGRANTE International West Visayas.

More than 15 officers and non-commisioned officers from the AFP and PNP joined the dialogue session. Meanwhile, during the same occasion, Col. Thyne Banas, former operations chief of 3ID was awarded a plaque of appreciation for his active participation and collaboration as member of the Region 6 Steering Committee on Community- Based dialogue on the protection and promotion of human rights.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=476940