Arroyos want compensation for civilians caught in armed conflict

MANILA, Philippines - Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her son, Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Arroyo, are pushing a bill that would ensure financial and medical assistance to civilians caught in crossfire between the military and rebels.

Under the Arroyos' House Bill 2677 or "Civilian Compensation Act of 2013, national government will provide compensation, reimbursement for hospitalization expenses, and other benefits to non-combatants caught in between government troops and rebels.

The proposed bill shall establish the Civilian Compensation Fund to be administered by the Commission on Human Rights.

The Arroyos cited the encounter last year between the Nur Misuari-led-faction of the Moro National Liberation Front in Zamboanga City, which affected thousands of civilians, especially children and women, including the elderly.

Section 4 of the bill states that "any civilian, as defined in the measure, who is killed or injured in the crossfire between rebels and the military shall be entitled to: (a) an indemnity in the amount of thirty thousand pesos (P30,000), in case of death; (b) a reimbursement for the necessary expenses incurred for hospitalization, medical treatment, loss of wage, and the like, in case of injury."

The amount of compensation may differ from the final outcome of the measure.

The bill also provides that in case said civilian is compelled by the military to leave his or her residence prior to a military campaign, the CHR shall provide emergency housing, food and medical benefits to said civilian. It said that, in case said civilian incurs material loss, the CHR shall indemnify the former the necessary amount to cover the loss.

Likewise, Section 5 states that "any civilian, his or her family, or any other person dependent upon said civilian for support may file a claim with the Commission, provided that the claim must be filed within six months after the date of the death, injury, compulsory abandonment of one's residence, or occurrence of other events that resulted to material loss."

The measure provides for an appropriation of P5 million to be sourced from the National Treasury.