A response from our soldiers on their rights!

In response to our July 17 column, I got an e-mail from Major Enrico Gil C. Ileto, Assistant Chief, Public Affairs Office of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). It’s a bit long so I had to edit a few parts, which he titled “Undeniably, the Soldier’s Human Rights are also Violated.”

“More than 4,000 soldiers have so far died fighting the terrorist New People’s Army, the armed component of the Communist Party of the Philippines, from 1988 to present. Not included are the more that 3,000 soldiers who were wounded because of the fighting since 1988. Double or triple the number of weeping and grieving family members of soldiers who died in line of duty. Many of those who died were mutilated. Sometimes those who survived are wounded forever in their hearts. Knowing that they (NPA) are a weaker force, most are done treacherously against your soldiers.

But when these rights are violated as a result of an encounter or a firefight against lawless elements, terrorist elements or from the terrorist New People’s Army your soldiers cannot demand from them to respect our rights. We understand that respect for human rights cannot be expected from lawless and terroristic activities. While we mourn with the victims, we understand that we cannot demand the respect for our rights from organizations which are known to support these terroristic activities. Never have we heard a single word of condolences or sympathy from these organizations for your soldiers who died defending the country.

Insurgency has already claimed so many lives of our soldiers and our citizens. This has obstructed the progress of country for decades and if we do not put an end to this now, more lives would be lost. We are elated to know that there are people demanding recognition of the rights of the soldiers. Knowing that the person whom we serve recognizes our rights, it is an inspiration for us to continue with our work to serve the Filipino people. The AFP is very much ready to cooperate with all investigative bodies. Which body will investigate when your soldiers are killed? The long arm of the law will do the job.

On the other hand, speaking publicly The Oath of the Filipino Soldier, your soldier speaks the words that he will defend and protect the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines in which under this the soldier is mandated by law to protect your human rights. One of the noblest professions, your soldier is proud to say that he speaks the oath wholeheartedly, ready to die for the country to carry out this oath. These are few but meaningful words that a soldier recites with his right hand raised on his first day as a public servant.

Your soldiers undergo scheduled lectures so that they can be updated on aspects pertaining to Human Rights. Subjects on Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law and the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law have since been incorporated on courses periodically being taken up by soldiers as a requirement for career advancement and specialization. Seminars and workshops on the same subjects are also regularly conducted at all levels of command. Be it in the platoon, company, battalion, brigade, division and at the general headquarters soldiers voluntarily study these subjects.

Just recently, at the general headquarters level, the Chief of Staff Armed Forces of the Philippines called upon top level staffs in a drive to strengthen the implementation the protection of human rights of the Filipino citizens. The CSAFP gave the order to give more power to the Human Rights Office of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Protection of the Rights of the Citizens has always been the inspiration of every individual soldier. To see a country that is free is what makes him proud and fulfilled. It can be recalled how our soldiers, in coordination with the Philippine National Police and the Commission on Human Rights, met the expectations of the Filipino people in the implementation of martial law in Maguindanao in November and December of Last Year. Coordination has been continuing up to this time.

 The AFP is one with the Filipino people in condemning these killings and is doing its best to help our national police in the enforcement of the law. We mourn with the victims. We are also citizens of this country and with these extraordinary responsibilities and the challenges ahead for us, we will continue with our duties. We’ve seen grief-stricken family members of soldiers who died upholding this oath. It not only hurts the hearts of those family members left behind but other comrade soldiers too who also silently weep deep in their hearts wishing that this should not have happened.

Rest assured that your Armed Forces will continue to remain professional and will continue to protect the Filipino people. We cannot allow anybody from our ranks to tarnish our image and do things that will not be in accordance with the oath of the Filipino soldier.”

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For email responses to this article, write to [email protected] or [email protected]. His columns can be accessed through www.philstar.com.