CHR to monitor campaign vs communists
An intensified campaign against communist rebels following the termination of peace talks might result in more cases of human rights violations, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairman Chito Gascon said.
Gascon on Friday said they would closely monitor developments after President Duterte formally terminated the peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF), the negotiator for the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing the New People’s Army.
“In the course of ongoing conflict there are cases of human rights violations that have been document over the last 30 to 40 years, perpetrated by armed groups as well as by the armed forces,” Gascon said.
“If there is an escalation of conflict, then necessarily we are concerned that there may also be human rights violations so we will have to monitor this very closely,” he added.
The CHR said they have always supported efforts to attain peace through the negotiating table, noting that civilians are often the ones who greatly suffer from armed conflict.
“We have always supported opportunities for political settlement of conflict so that people can focus on rebuilding their lives, asserting their rights,” Gascon said.
“In the context of armed struggle, often it’s the people who are caught in the crossfire,” he added.
Duterte on Thursday issued a proclamation terminating the peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF.
The President alleged the communists failed to show sincerity in pursuing peace negotiations, citing acts of violence perpetrated by the NPA.
Abang Lingkod party list Rep. Stephen Paduano supported the move of Duterte to scuttle the peace talks with the communist rebels.
“It is useless if the policy is talk, talk and fire,” said Paduano, a former commander of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade, a breakaway faction of the CPP-NPA.
“If we are talking peace, there should be a ceasefire, not only unilateral but bilateral, agreed on by both parties,” Paduano said.
More attacks
With the termination of the peace talks, the military is expecting a surge in rebel attacks in the countryside.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero said the military is expecting the communists to reciprocate Duterte’s decision to scuttle the peace talks.
Guerrero said the military is ready for an all out war against the insurgents.
“The CPP is expected to reciprocate the President’s pronouncement (termination of the peace talks) with violent attacks and atrocities,” Maj. Ezra Balagtey, spokesman for the AFP’s Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) said.
Eastmincom chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. ordered tighter security in the region in anticipation of NPA attacks.
“We have to be vigilant, intensify our monitoring and be pro-active in order to prevent them from terrorizing communities; their actions in the previous months reflect their character and intent. While our government exerted its best effort to reach out to their group to end this insurgency through peace agreement, the CPP-NPA-NDF has reciprocated it with treachery, acts of violence and hostilities,” Madrigal said.
The military has identified key areas in Mindanao where the NPA is operating. Among them are the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley province, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte, and Bukidnon.
Meanwhile, a policeman was killed while 12 others were injured in a roadside bomb attack by the NPA in Maasin, Iloilo last Friday.
Regional police spokesman Supt. Gilbert Gorero identified the fatality as PO1 Joefill Odon of Cabatuan town.
Odon was among the 10 policemen of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6 who encountered NPA rebels in a remote village in Maasin.
Police said the NPA triggered the attack by detonating an IED as the truck carrying the policemen passed by.
One of the policemen managed to drive the truck, brought his fellow policemen to safer ground and returned fire at the attacking rebels. –