Wednesday, April 02, 2008 Rebels warn AFP, PNP vs HR violations By Malu Cadeliña Manar
KIDAPAWAN CITY -- The Merardo Arce Command of the New Peoples' Army (NPA) in Southern Mindanao has issued a stern warning that it would impose death penalty to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) who grossly violated human rights and those involve in the counter-insurgency operations.
The lists of those with "blood debts," according to Rigoberto Sanchez, spokesman for the Merarde Arce Command, included local officials who have joined the government's Oplan Bantay Laya, an AFP-led counter-insurgency operation.
Last month, the NPA in Mindanao meted death to local officials as "punishment" for their "blood debts."
On March 18, members of the 1st Pulang Bagani Company imposed death against Custodio Varona, village chieftain in Paquibato district in Davao City. Varona, according to Sanchez, was more actively involved in his work as a Cafgu leader and not as a barangay chairman.
Ten days later, the communist guerillas shot dead another barangay chair in Monkayo town of Compostela Valley identified as Nelson Sam-o of Barangay San Jose. Members of the Alejandro Lanaja Command based in Compostela Valley led the killing of Sam-o.
The rebels confiscated from Varona and Sam-o two caliber .45 pistols and two high-powered rifles.
"Performance of civilian duties is one thing; undertaking such while engaging in hostile armed acts against the revolutionary movement at the behest of the AFP is another," Sanchez explained in his statement dated March 31.
So as not to suffer the same fate as that of Varona and Sam-o's, the rebels suggested that local officials should take cue from Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
"Local functionaries would do well if they heed the advice of Mayor Duterte that they focus on dispensing their civilian governmental duties and refuse from being drafted by the mercenary AFP in its armed counterrevolutionary program," Sanchez said.
If these people "practice what they preach, then the case of Varona and Sam-o would certainly be the last", Sanchez preached.
Quoting Geneva Convention and its Protocols, Sanchez said combat troops of the AFP, PNP and paramilitary forces are legitimate military targets.
"Whatever the AFP and PNP's pretenses might be, units of the NPA and people's militia are there to do battle and defend the people from the repression and atrocities of the GRP armed forces," he said.
