Army Investigates Human Rights Violations

(AFP) — “The Philippine Army will not tolerate its erring personnel, especially those who will violate the human rights regardless of rank and position.”

This was the statement of Lt. Col. Alfredo Patarata, the acting chief of the Army Human Rights Office (AHRO) when asked about the rape case issue on a Lumad minor in Davao del Norte.

“We are now conducting a special investigation on the three Army soldiers involved in the alleged sexual offense on a Lumad minor in Talaingod, Davao del Norte,” said Patarata.

The three soldiers, whose names are withheld as part of the due process, were placed under the custody of an Army division in Mindanao while waiting for the result of the investigation.

According to AHRO, the Army has received a total of 24 alleged human rights cases filed against Army personnel this year.

“Even it is still an allegation, we take it seriously,” said Patarata. “Our adherence to human rights, international humanitarian law, and the rule of law is an imperative to the success of our current campaign – the Internal Peace and Security Operation Bayanihan.”

However, only two of the 24 allegations have so far been elevated to the next legal proceedings.

One of the cases of human rights violation is undergoing a court-martial proceeding while the other case is facing the Philippine Army Efficiency and Separation Board.

The soldiers involved in these two cases are prosecuted for violating the Army’s Rules of Engagement in the conduct of their operations. The rest are mere allegations that lack evidence.

The Philippine Army recorded a zero human right violation case in year 2013 based on official records of the government.

In 2014, the Army recorded a total of two alleged human rights violation but did not prosper due to lack of supporting evidence.

Based also on the monitoring of AHRO from civilians news reports, the New People’s Army has committed a total of 274 human rights abuses all over the country since 2012.

Protecting human rights is universal. It is not an excuse to violate human rights even if you are a rebel or a member of the NPA.

The AHRO, established in 2010 in the Army organization, is tasked to monitor incidents of alleged human rights and international humanitarian law violations of Army personnel.

The AHRO directs concerned units to conduct an initial investigation on reported human rights violations.

The investigating units then recommend for proper authority for further investigation and the subsequent prosecution of personnel before the General Court Martial, if their involvement in the cases is duly established and proven by competent evidence. (AFP)