BARELY three months after the implementation of martial law, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Eastern Mindanao Command (Easmincom) has not received any formal complaint on human rights violations from the public.
Easmincom deputy commander and martial law spokesperson, Brigadier General Gilbert Gapay, on Saturday, August 19, said that the members of the Multi-Sectoral Advisory Group (MSAG) for martial law have negative record in terms of human rights complaints.
The MSAG is the committee that monitors human rights violations and provide guidance to the soldiers in the enforcement of martial law provisions.
"We haven't received formal complaints on human rights violations committed by our troops relative to the implementation of martial law. No report was also received by martial law help desks manned by our stakeholders from the academe and legal sector," Gapay said.
rPresident Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law last May 23 after Maute Terrorist Group launched attacks in Marawi City bringing hundreds of death toll from civilians and government troopers.
Hours before the 60-day martial law implementation expired, it was extended until the end of the year after conflicts remained unsettled to flush out the terrorists and avoid further spillover to other neighboring cities and municipalities.
The martial law implementation has drawn flak among militant groups because of alleged HR violations against Indigenous People, however, the AFP continues to challenge them to formally file a case and prove their accusations instead of throwing black propaganda.