‘Gov’t, MNLF should abide by laws of war’

MANILA, Philippines - A human rights group said the government should take all necessary steps to reduce the risk to civilians while conducting military operations against Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels in Zamboanga City.

Human Rights Watch said that all sides should abide by international humanitarian law or the laws of war, particularly with respect to ensuring the protection of the civilian population.

“The intensity of the fighting between MNLF forces and government security forces in Zamboanga City has risen to that of an armed conflict and the laws of war are applicable. Under the laws of war, all sides are prohibited from deliberately attacking civilians, conducting attacks that do not discriminate between civilians and combatants, or could cause disproportionate civilian harm,” said Brad Adams, Asia Director of Human Rights Watch.

He said government and rebel forces should take all precautions to minimize harm to civilians and to avoid deploying fighters in densely populated areas. 

“Civilians must be allowed to safely leave combat areas. It is unlawful to take hostages or use individuals as ‘human shields’ by deliberately using them to prevent enemy attacks. Civilian structures, including hospitals, are protected from attack, unless they are being used for military purposes. Medical personnel, transport, and facilities have special protections. Parties to an armed conflict must treat everyone in their custody humanely. The government must promptly bring anyone apprehended before a court and either charge or release them. “Civilians who fled their homes without proper documents are still civilians and must be treated that way. Even though this is a very complicated situation, the military and the police cannot take shortcuts by jeopardizing the rights of the civilian population,” Adams said.

According to Human Rights Watch, several residents who escaped the villages said those left behind could not leave for fear of getting caught in the crossfire or are being prevented from leaving by government forces because they lack identification documents and thus are suspected of being rebels. – With Jess Diaz, Rainier Allan Ronda, Czeriza Valencia, Roel Pareño