AFP expecting surge of human rights issues

MANILA, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is expecting a surge in human rights issues to be raised by militant and other rights activists in a bid to attract the attention of UN secretary- general Ban Ki Moon, who is expected to visit the country on Oct. 29.

Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, AFP public affairs office chief, said in an interview that they are expecting leftist organizations to rehash old issues of alleged human rights abuses by the military to create an international controversy.

“It is possible that they would like to bring this matter to the attention of the United Nations and of course the secretary-general is coming, that’s the best timing that they could get in bringing this matter to the attention of the UN,” Torres said.

He said they are already expecting that even small cases would be drummed up just to create issues to discredit the government and the military before the international community, despite efforts by the AFP to strengthen the observance of human rights, in adherence to international humanitarian laws.

“If you observe the trend, it was already acknowledged by the CHR (Commission on Human Rights) that there was a sharp decline in extrajudicial killings (EJK) cases. But for the past two weeks now there are a lot of issues coming out, mostly old issues on EJK. Of course, we, especially the CHR, recognize their effort in helping us, helping the Filipino people further solve our problems on human rights,” he said.

Torres also said military officers are required to secure a clearance from the CHR before they could get promoted or assigned to sensitive posts in the AFP.

Several military officers have faced charges before civilian courts for alleged human rights violations, particularly the abduction and killing of left-wing activists.

The AFP has denied any involvement in these cases, and claimed it has taken steps to ensure that military personnel strictly observe human rights and adhere to international humanitarian laws.

Human rights violator

Despite this, a non-government organization yesterday accused the Arroyo government and the military of being the primary violator of children’s rights in the country.

Alphonse Rivera, spokesperson for Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concern, said the continuing clashes between government troops and Moro rebels in Central Mindanao worsen the already miserable condition of children in the war-torn region.

“Contrary to the government’s obligation to uphold children’s rights, the government, including its military forces, remains the primary violator of children’s rights,” Rivera said in a statement.

“We can see every single day the depressing situation of our children. Their basic rights have yet to be solved by this government such as the right to food, right to education and right to protection,” he said.

Rivera issued the statement in line with yesterday’s celebration of National Children’s Day.

Various child rights advocates, led by Salinlahi, also marked Oct. 17 as the National Day of Neglected Children.

“President Arroyo never celebrated this day in a way meaningful for the children. She instead continues to wage war in Mindanao that everyday traumatizes more and more children,” Rivera said.

He said the current situation in Central Mindanao brought terror to children and their families, forcing an unprecedented large number of people to evacuate from their homes.

“While there is no single reason to celebrate the National Children’s Day, there are a multitude of reasons to grieve for our future generation today because Filipino children are left behind by this government that does not care for the weak, the vulnerable and the oppressed,” he said.

As of Oct. 16, there were about 20,191 families or 100,181 persons in evacuation centers, according to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).

The NDCC said displaced families have received a total of P166.706-million worth of assistance, P130.852 million of which came from the government. – With Helen Flores