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Rights group says military committed violations in Cotabato


KIDAPAWAN CITY – A human rights group based here has documented 13 cases of violations allegedly committed by elements of four Army battalions in the southern province of North Cotabato. On Tuesday, the Interfaith Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples’ Rights (IFAAPR) said most of the cases they documented during last month’s skirmishes between government forces and communist rebels were also violations to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). The incidents took place on June 16 and 17 when fighting between elements of the 57th Infantry Battalion, 39th IB, 27th IB, and 68th IB and the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) in Makilala, North Cotabato became intense. IFAAPR said that of the 19 alleged victims of human rights violations, six of them were used as guides by the military during patrols and combat operations in the hinterlands of Makilala where the communist rebels are believed to be in hiding. Most of the victims were members of the Bagobo tribe of the indigenous peoples. Denial But an Army official in Makilala denied the allegations and accused the group as being sympathetic to the communist rebels. "Kilala na po natin ang grupo na ‘yan at ‘yan po ang kanilang role ‘pag may mga ganito’ng legitimate encounters. Papasok ‘yan sila at gagawa ng mga report. Magko-quote pa ng mga pangalan ng mga biktima para lumabas na makatotohanan ang kanilang report," said Lt. Manuel Gatus, chief of the civil-military operations of the 57th IB. (We already know this group and this is really their role after legitimate encounters. They would come in and then make reports. They would use names of victims as proof that their reports are true.) Gatus called on the rebels, including progressive groups, to stop using civilians in their "dirty propaganda." Gatus said they are willing to face any court or institution to show that what they are doing is just to help the government achieve peace and development in many poor towns in North Cotabato, especially in Makilala. Rubber farmers Included among IFAAPR's documented cases is an alleged incident where a number of rubber farmers from Barangay Malasila, also in Makilala town, were prevented by government forces from harvesting rubber cup lumps in areas where the NPAs were sighted. As a result, they were not able to earn income for more than a week. A kilo of raw rubber is sold from P60 to P70. The group has also documented the case of a certain Jojo Panique whose motorcycle was allegedly destroyed by government forces on suspicion the vehicle was being used by the NPAs during errands. Two abandoned houses in Barangay Luayon suspected as NPA hideouts were also allegedly fired at by still unidentified soldiers. The huts, however, were owned by civilians identified as Jun Andam and Rosita Daya who left the area with their families when the fighting erupte. A resident identified as Jovencio Ocho Sr., told IFAAPR that his son Sammy who was earlier reported as among the missing after the Army-NPA encounters in Barangay Luayon, is alive. He also denied Sammy’s involvement in the rebel movement since his son is ‘mentally disabled.’ Not members of NPA Four residents of Barangay Rodero, also in Makilala, reported earlier as missing and feared dead during the fighting came out to be alive and well, according to the IFAAPR. The villagers were identified as Alexander Canonio, 70, his son Sunny, Jimboy Tamulon, and Rolando Coscos Sr., who all denied they were members of the NPA. When the fighting erupted, they said they were working in a rubber plantation in the area and started to look for cover when the exchange of gunfire between warring forces became intense. Bodie Gabo of the IFAAPR said they already sent copies through mail of the results of their fact-finding to the regional office of Karapatan, a human rights based group in Davao City, and the Joint Monitoring Committee of the GPH-National Democratic Front of the Philippines based in Metro Manila. — Malu Cadelina Manar/RSJ, GMA News
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