CHR chief: Use guns to protect, not oppress people

MANILA, Philippines - Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Loretta Ann “Etta” Rosales reminded newly enlisted Army personnel in Samar not be corrupted by the power of the gun and instead use the weapon only to protect the people and the state.

“Your guns are badges of responsibility. Use it for lawful purposes only. Use it to protect the people and not to harass them. Do not be corrupted by the power of the gun,” Rosales said.

Rosales made the call yesterday when she led a ceremony entrusting firearms to more than a hundred fresh Army troops who graduated from a five-month basic military training, at the headquarters of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division at Camp Lukban in Catbalogan, Samar.

Aside from the traditional military tactics, Lt. Col. Noel Vestuir, spokesman of the 8th ID and commander of the 8th Civil Military Operations Battalion, said the young troops also received lectures on “Bayanihan,” the military’s new strategy in winning peace instead of war in the countryside.

Maj. Gen. Mario Chan, 8th ID commander, told the troops to be always guided by their oath as protector of the people while on and off duty.

“Being a soldier means everything. You must understand that we are here because our people need us, our country needs us and we are here because God permits us, so we have to consider those things when we do our tasks in the field,” he said.

“And in so doing, we must put top priority on our list the preservation and protection of our people’s rights,” he added.