Bayan Muna solon lectures soldiers on human rights

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Amid the usual bickering between militant groups and the military, the two parties peacefully gathered for a discourse Monday morning at the University of San Agustin in this city.

The gathering was a discussion on “Human Rights Legal Mechanism: The Writ of Amparo” with Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares as the lecturer and the soldiers, including human rights officers, as the participants.

Colmenares, also a human rights lawyer and president of the National Union of People’s Lawyer, discussed the salient points of the writ of amparo to the officials of the 301st and 303rd Infantry Brigades and representatives of the 62nd, 47th, 12th, 82nd, 61st and the Civil-Military Operation Battalions.

He said the writ of amparo has been the government’s response from a context of impunity, “which is happening in the country. As such, the writ basically aims to give justice to victims.”

The discussion on the topic was part of the Jose “Ka Pepe” Diokno Memorial Lecture Series conducted all over the country by the Commission on Human Rights, which is celebrating its 25th Anniversary.

Major Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., commander of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, said: “We were indeed very fortunate to be part of this lecture series and be enlightened by the wisdom of Congressman Colmenares who is also a stalwart human rights defender and advocate like your Army today.”

Mabanta also expressed full support to CHR-Region 6, headed by David Bermudo, for initiating various peace forums and activities in this region.

“It will definitely give us a vibrant environment to peacefully co-exist and have an open space for more fruitful discussions for the promotion of peace among human rights advocate groups,” he added.

Meanwhile, 3rd ID spokesman Maj. Enrico Gil Ileto said that since the implementation of the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the Philippine Army, has been very active in participating in various peace forums all over the country.

Colonel Jon Aying, deputy commander and human rights officer of the 303rd IB, reported that for the past year and a half, no human rights violation has been committed by the military in Negros.  - THE FREEMAN