CHR probes AFP-NPA clashes
Published Apr 24, 2020 12:00 am
By Czarina Nicole Ong Ki
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is conducting its own investigation regarding the reported clashes Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) in different parts of the country despite the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Commission on Human Rights (MANILA BULLETIN)
This development was unexpected since both parties declared a ceasefire purportedly to aid in the efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 14, armed communist rebels allegedly seized relief goods from barangay officials who were distributing them as aid to residents affected by the pandemic in Sitio Nagon, Barangay Guinmayohan, Balangiga, Eastern Samar.
That same day, an unarmed CAFGU member, Wilson Estar Behing, was reportedly shot dead by alleged NPA forces at his residence in Sitio Baroboan, Barangay Carromat in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.
Four days later on April 18, another encounter took place between the Philippine Army and NPA. However, the exact location of the encounter is still in question - whether it took place in Sitio Anoy, Barangay Cabalaunan, Miag-ao, Iloilo, as the government claimed, or in the adjacent Sitio Mayong, Barangay Tordesillas in Sibalom, Antique, as reported by the communist rebels.
The CHR likewise noted that there were contradicting claims whether or not the lone casualty was an NPA member or an unarmed civilian identified as John Farochilin, who was said to be a member of the Sangguniang Barangay of Barangay Onop, the chairman of the Alyansa sang mga Mangunguma sa Miag-ao, and a council member of the peasants’ alliance Paghugpong sang mga Mangunguma sa Panay kag Guimaras. Seven others were also arrested.
Separate clashes took place on April 19 between government security forces and NPAs in Negros Occidental and Masbate. The first incident in Barangay Salvacion, San Fernando, Masbate reportedly ensued after NPA forces attempted to attack the community and government troops.
Meanwhile, the clash in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental was a result of government pursuit of alleged extortion activities by the communist rebels. These encounters left one soldier and three others dead in Masbate and Negros Occidental, respectively.
On April 21, NPA members allegedly opened fire at a convoy with representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) who were on their way to distribute cash to the beneficiaries of the government’s social amelioration program in the town of Maria Aurora, Aurora province. The hour-long gun battle left two soldiers dead, according to reports.
"These violence dilute the meaning of the ceasefire declarations and render them irrelevant in the communities, which are supposed to benefit most from the truce," said CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia.
She said that these cases will be investigated by the CHR regional offices in order to identify possible human rights violations and demand accountability from those who were at fault.
"We continue to call on both sides to respect their truce declarations and truly serve the people by not putting them in further danger at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic," she said.
Commission on Human Rights (MANILA BULLETIN)
This development was unexpected since both parties declared a ceasefire purportedly to aid in the efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 14, armed communist rebels allegedly seized relief goods from barangay officials who were distributing them as aid to residents affected by the pandemic in Sitio Nagon, Barangay Guinmayohan, Balangiga, Eastern Samar.
That same day, an unarmed CAFGU member, Wilson Estar Behing, was reportedly shot dead by alleged NPA forces at his residence in Sitio Baroboan, Barangay Carromat in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.
Four days later on April 18, another encounter took place between the Philippine Army and NPA. However, the exact location of the encounter is still in question - whether it took place in Sitio Anoy, Barangay Cabalaunan, Miag-ao, Iloilo, as the government claimed, or in the adjacent Sitio Mayong, Barangay Tordesillas in Sibalom, Antique, as reported by the communist rebels.
The CHR likewise noted that there were contradicting claims whether or not the lone casualty was an NPA member or an unarmed civilian identified as John Farochilin, who was said to be a member of the Sangguniang Barangay of Barangay Onop, the chairman of the Alyansa sang mga Mangunguma sa Miag-ao, and a council member of the peasants’ alliance Paghugpong sang mga Mangunguma sa Panay kag Guimaras. Seven others were also arrested.
Separate clashes took place on April 19 between government security forces and NPAs in Negros Occidental and Masbate. The first incident in Barangay Salvacion, San Fernando, Masbate reportedly ensued after NPA forces attempted to attack the community and government troops.
Meanwhile, the clash in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental was a result of government pursuit of alleged extortion activities by the communist rebels. These encounters left one soldier and three others dead in Masbate and Negros Occidental, respectively.
On April 21, NPA members allegedly opened fire at a convoy with representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) who were on their way to distribute cash to the beneficiaries of the government’s social amelioration program in the town of Maria Aurora, Aurora province. The hour-long gun battle left two soldiers dead, according to reports.
"These violence dilute the meaning of the ceasefire declarations and render them irrelevant in the communities, which are supposed to benefit most from the truce," said CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia.
She said that these cases will be investigated by the CHR regional offices in order to identify possible human rights violations and demand accountability from those who were at fault.
"We continue to call on both sides to respect their truce declarations and truly serve the people by not putting them in further danger at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic," she said.