Human rights group KARAPATAN in Central Visayas yesterday called on the government to implement its human rights accord with the National Democratic Front, after the death of civilians in an ambush by the New People’s Army in Negros Occidental last week.

Karapatan, in a press statement, said the government should stop stalling the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Laws, because of increasing casualties and human rights violations.

It also said it is condemnable enough that this civil strife has exposed more and more civilians to crossfire, especially that unarmed critics and activists become targets of military attacks.

Dennis Abarrientos, secretary-general of Karapatan in Region 7, said the government’s non-implementation of CARHRIHL deprives the victims of a mechanism for redress, and perpetrators are emboldened to assault human rights with greater impunity.

The group said it does not help that the Armed Forces of the Philippines continues to live in a state of denial over its responsibility for extrajudicial killings.

Karapatan also advised the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the army to be “as candid as its enemy in admitting lapses and apologizing for mistakes,” its press statement added.

In particular, it wants the army unit to surrender its assassins and “death squad” agents to a public congressional inquiry, it also said.*

back to top