Tuesday, May 27, 2008 Army denies 'martial law' in Guihulngan
AN ARMY official in Negros Monday refuted the claim of Karapatan-Negros that it has implemented a de facto martial law in Guihulngan, Oriental Negros, causing a rise in human rights abuses against ordinary farmers and militant people there.
Lieutenant Colonel Franco Nemesio Gacal, commanding officer of the Army's 11th Infantry 'Lapu-Lapu' Battalion based in La Granja, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental said: "That's pure propaganda! What martial law are they talking?"
Fred Caña, acting as spokesperson for Karapatan-Negros, said they condemn the increasing human rights abuses in Guihulngan City since the arrival of the Philippine Army in the area belonging to 11th IB, 79th IB, 78th IB, 12th IB, 1st Scout Ranger and 32nd Division Reconnaissance Company last March.
"Militarization brings with it widespread human rights violations. It happened during Marcos' martial rule, the 'Oplan Thunderbolt' under the Cory administration and other succeeding administrations. It is happening again under GMA's counter-insurgency program of 'Oplan Bantay Laya' (OBL)," Caña said.
He then cited the recent order of the Central Command (CentCom) declaring Negros at its "win" area in the Visayas as it focuses on Central Negros, especially Guihulngan City, as its priority area.
Caña said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) want to apply in Negros "General Palparan's Mindoro model" or the "Bohol model" of OBL campaign.
Gacal, however, stressed: "The City of Guihulngan, under the leadership of Mayor Ernesto de los Reyes, has no complaints against our activities in their area. No barangay captain has so far complained about our presence in Guihulngan."
"Majority of peace-loving people of Guihulngan City, including foreigners, appreciated our peace-making efforts there," he added.
But Caña said: "AFP troopers with its OBL doctrine and 'martial law' mindset do not respect the legal rights of civilians."
He also lambasted the Arroyo administration for its alleged failure "to act on UN (United Nations) Rapporteur Philip Alston's findings that there are strong basis that point to the AFP as perpetrators of extrajudicial killings, which had reached 902 to date and is still increasing. These political killings continue with impunity and not a single case is solved until now." (Erwin Ambo Delilan)
