Military denies keeping ‘hit list’

MANILA, Philippines -  The military denied yesterday keeping a list of perceived enemies of the state.

Speaking over radio station dzBB, Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said the military only has a list of wanted criminals from the Philippine National Police.

“We do not practice the crafting of a hit list or order of battle,” he said.

Burgos said they are furnished with a list of wanted criminals since the military supports the police in law enforcement.

“When the military apprehends persons who violated the law, especially those who are in the wanted list, they will be turned over to the police,” he said.

Burgos said the military respects human rights.

“In all aspects of our military and security operations, first and foremost, we should uphold the rule of law, promote the International Humanitarian law and protect and promote human rights,” he said.

Burgos said the military has created channels to enable citizens to voice out their complaints against erring soldiers.

“We created a human rights office, not only in the General Headquarters, but also in the unified commands,” he said.

“If they have complaints, they should help us, report it to us. We will make sure the unit concerned will make the personnel available for investigation.”

Burgos said militant groups and activists must bring their complaints to the proper forum, not just the media.

The Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012 prohibits the keeping of an order of battle, a list of individuals perceived to be enemies of the state.

Under the law, government agents cannot use the order of battle to justify carrying out kidnappings.

Members of security forces are required to disobey superiors who issue an illegal order.

Militant groups have accused state forces of resorting to kidnapping, torture and killings to silence critics of the government.

The military’s anti-insurgency drive has resulted in numerous human rights violations and unexplained disappearances of activists, they added.

Advocates of  human rights said the government has failed to punish those behind kidnappings and killings.

Human Rights Watch has reported “strong evidence of military involvement” in seven killings and three enforced disappearances of activists since the Aquino administration  took over on June 30, 2010.

President Aquino signed the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act last Friday.