Saturday, November 03, 2007 Speak out: Protect civilians By Task Force Detainees of the Philippines-Visayas
MORE than 500 families reportedly left their barangays in Calatrava, Negros Occidental due to continued military operations after an encounter with alleged NPA rebels in the area, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Services from Calatrava town.
Although the local government immediately responded by providing temporary shelters and relief assistance to the internally displaced victims, the fact remains that the civilians have been disturbed once more socially and economically from their ordinary living.
Civilians in armed conflict situation more than always inevitably suffer the brunt of war. They are either killed or wounded in cross fires or driven away from their homes and means of livelihood due to fear.
Not a few have fallen victims of extra judicial execution, harassment, abduction, torture or detention either because they were suspected to be sympathizers or supporters of rebels, or assets of the government.
On July 22, a 12-year-old boy with his father and mother were killed by military men due to an alleged presence of a rebel in their house in Villaba, Leyte. Reportedly, the incident arose from an encounter which residents of the barangay belied.
Last Sept. 26, three local officials and six others were wounded when fired upon by unknown assailants, an incident that both the rebels and the military blamed on each other, in Motiong, Samar.
Earlier on that same day in the same barangay, another local official was peppered with bullets by unknown assailants.
On Oct. 10, a farmer was forcibly abducted reportedly by military elements in Calatrava, Negros Occidental. His body was found later brutally murdered. The body bore signs of torture including castration.
Another leader of National Federation of Sugar Workers was shot point blank in broad daylight in Toboso, Negros Occidental.
Armed parties in conflict situation are obligated to follow rules. Civilians and non-combatants irregardless of their political standpoint ought to be protected anywhere by State agents.
Armed parties are bound by the International Humanitarian Law and Protocol 2 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The State and and the rebels, specifically the CPP-NPA-NDF, also legally bound themselves by signing the Comprehensive Agreement for the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
Poverty is a suffering enough. This predicament, however, becomes doubly difficult when peace in family and community is shattered.
Hence, this is an appeal to parties involved in armed conflict to ease the sufferings of ordinary people caught in situations of war. Respect their right to live in peace.
