Friday, August 29, 2008 Soldiers told to uphold human rights
THE Philippine Army on Thursday reiterated to its field commanders the need to respect human rights amid reports that the ongoing offensive against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mindanao has resulted in violations.
"The Army leadership has again reminded all field commanders specifically those who are deployed to pursue military actions against lawless MILF members about their responsibility to see to it that all soldiers under their command will strictly observe and respect human rights," said Colonel Daniel Lucero, commander of the Army's Civil-Military Operations Group.
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairperson Leila de Lima earlier said that the number of rights violations arising from the military operations has been growing.
The military ordered an offensive against several recalcitrant commanders of the MILF led by Umbra Kato and Abdullah Saber Macapaar who were responsible for recent atrocities in Central Mindanao that have resulted in the killing of dozens of civilians, soldiers and policemen.
"Army commanders were further reminded to inculcate in the minds of their soldiers to be impartial and unprejudiced in their observance of human rights... that every individual's rights, regardless of professed religion, ethnic attachment, gender, political beliefs, etc should be guaranteed and respected," said Lucero.
All army soldiers were reminded that the Philippine Army exists primarily to guarantee that every Filipino's rights to life, speech and property are protected.
They were further reminded to see to it that no act should be pursued if this will mean an infringement of the rights of any individual which they as soldiers have sworn to protect," he said.
Lucero nevertheless said they are aware that some groups will use the issue of human rights to malign and damage the reputation of the Philippine Army.
"However, soldiers were reminded that they should take these negative criticisms as a challenge to do better. Soldiers were told that their deeds in pursuit of their observance of human rights will be greater than the words we use to defend these false allegations," he added.
Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered all concerned government agencies to intensify the relief assistance efforts to internally displaced people (IPDs) or residents of Mindanao that are affected by the recent attacks launched by uncontrollable MILF members.
Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said: "There will be more funds to be downloaded. The President has called everyone to pitch in especially the National Government agencies."
He said the needed funds would be sourced from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).
Dureza refused to give any figures but said it would be "an amount that is necessary to address the situation right now." (VR/JMR/Sunnex)
