UN urged to probe torture cases under Noy’s term

The United Nations has been asked to look into 110 cases of torture and numerous cases of illegal arrests during the Aquino administration.

Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretarygeneral, yesterday said the matter could be looked into when the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture ( SPT) visits from May 25 to June 3 to monitor the implementation of the Optional protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OpCAT), which the Philippines ratified in 2012.

“We enjoin the UN SPT to hear the voices of victims of torture and illegal arrests, for in hearing and analyzing their testimonies can they have a comprehensive grasp and analysis on what is keeping the Philippine government from preventing torture,” she said.

Karapatan also documented 723 victims of illegal arrests and detention, she added.

Palabay said members of the Armed Forces reportedly perpetrated many of the torture cases that Karapatan had documented.

“The torture and degrading treatment were experienced by three Blaan in Malapatan, Sarangani in the hands of the 73rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (IBPA) to force them to admit they are NPA (New People’s Army) supporters, while aerial bombings, economic blockade, encampment in residential areas, indiscriminate firing and other rights abuses were conducted in their communities,” she said.

“Almost 150 men from the 73rd IBPA conducted military operations on March 27 until April 10, 2015 affecting some 358 families or 1,800 individuals who became victims of abuses and human-rights violations.”

Some 246 Blaan have evacuated from their barangays following the start of military operations, she added.

As of yesterday, Karapatan Socsksargen reported that the same military unit continues to harass the residents in the evacuation center.

Karapatan also asked the UN to look into the collusion of the Philippine National Police and the military during operations, allegedly resulting in torture and illegal arrests and detention of civilians, including political activists.

Palabay said former Special Rapporteur Philip Alston, in concluding his visit in March 2007, identified the causes constituting the killings and other rights violations in the Philippines: first, the “vilification,““labeling,” or guilt by association; second, the extent to which the government’s counter- insurgency has impacted on the political and civil rights of persons.

“Torture and other rights abuses commence without relent because the Philippine government continues to strongly adhere to a counter-insurgency program that violates people’s rights. Such doctrine remains entrenched in the police and military establishment,” she said.