ILOILO – Compared to the past two years, human rights violations this year are low, according to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Region 6.
According to Atty. Jonnie Dabuco, director of CHR-6, they barely recorded extrajudicial killings (EJK) linked to the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.
He recounted just one complaint filed by the family of 29-year-old Karl Daniel Bolante of Barangay North Baluarte, Molo district. Bolante died in a buy-bust operation of the Iloilo City Police Station 1 in June.
In the campaign against insurgency, Dabuco said their office received more complaints this year.
“Nagdugang naman ‘ya ang cases like illegal arrests kag alleged EJK,” Dabuco told Panay News.
Dabuco did not give exact figurse, but cited the case of Army Corporal Frederick Villasis killed by the New People’s Army this August in Barangay Lahug, Tapaz, Capiz.
Dabuco called on the public that if they feel their human rights violated, they should turn to government agencies such as the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
If a member of the PNP or Army is being complained, the people can turn to CHR-6.
During the celebration of Human Rights Day on Dec. 10, CHR-6 held a community-based dialogue with the PNP, Philippine Army, religious sector, and other stakeholders at a hotel in this city.
But Dabuco said not only should human rights be commemorated on Dec. 10 but throughout the year.
“Let us continue to do our share in promoting and respecting human rights,” added Dabuco.
According to Dabuco, CHR-6 would not be complacent, especially with the upcoming May 2022 elections.
“More challenge gihapon ang issue sang human rights, especially ang elections medyo hotly contested,” added Dabuco.
On the other hand, human rights group Panay Alliance Karapatan decried cases of human rights violation in Western Visayas.
Karapatan said after the killing of nine Tumandok in December last year in Tapaz, Capiz, five became victims of EJK this year and a lawyer, of frustrated EJK.
They claimed that among incidents of human rights violations in the island were “three arrests for political reasons, 11 instances of harassment, threats and intimidation, including red-tagging.”
“There were forced and fake surrenders in four communities. Filing of trumped-up charges was resorted to against the regime’s perceived enemies,” Karapatan said in a statement.
They said there were also reports of international humanitarian law violations in the form of encampment in structures otherwise used and occupied by civilian residents, and lately, the use of excessive force in the military offensive in Barangay Alimodias in Miag-ao town.
They also slammed the establishment of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC) and the passing of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
“With the AFP and PNP in the lead in counter-insurgency operations, the NTFELCAC was involved in the crackdown against communities where people’s organizations exist,” they added.
The Anti-Terror Act, they further claimed, was being used by government troopers in threatening residents and forcing them to “surrender”.
The group also noted that even the current administration’s response to the pandemic was characterized by “mostly repressive measures implemented by generals, instead of medical solutions.”
Moreover, the group further accused the AFP of strengthening its black propaganda distorting the meaning of human rights in its effort to red-tag and discredit human rights organizations, portray the government troops as victims of violations and minimize their obligation as State instrumentalities.
Karapatan and other human rights defenders assured that they will continue to call for the dismantling of NTFELCAC and diverting its funds for programs “more useful for the people.”
They also voted to support all possible legal steps to declare the Anti-Terrorism Act as unconstitutional.
“An ever steadfast human rights advocacy should persist to banner the people’s legitimate rights, frustrate the present Duterte repressive regime and prevent the return of the Marcos dictatorship to power,” they stressed./PN
