Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Tag: Armed Forces of the Philippines

CHR calls on authorities to look into alleged abduction of NDFP consultant in Bukidnon

Posted on by cmn

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) called on authorities to take action on the alleged abduction of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Ariel Badiang in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on February 6

In a statement, the CHR said Badiang, 64 years old, was allegedly taken by soldiers.

“As we conduct a parallel independent probe, CHR calls for urgent action from the local police and other concerned agencies to uncover the full truth on this latest report of the alleged abduction of another NDFP consultant,” said the commission.

According to the CHR, its Region 10 office had deployed a Quick Response Operation to look into the matter.

Meanwhile, Police Region Office 10 public information office spokesperson Police Major Joann Navarro told GMA News Online there were no abductions reported on the said date.

“Based po sa record natin, walang nakatala na any information o report na merong nag-abduct o kidnapping na nangyari,” she said.

Navarro added that PRO10 asked the Bukidnon Police, 52nd Engineer Brigade, and 1st Special Forces Battalion if they received such information. They also denied receiving reports about the incident.

Navarro encouraged the family of Badiang to report the incident to the police so that authorities can take action and launch an investigation.

Asked for comment, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar said the AFP promoted and protected human rights.

“The AFP respects human rights. It is part of our constitutional mandate. All we do at the AFP is in adherence to the promotion and protection of human rights which is translated into education, training, and policies,” he told GMA News Online.

“To strengthen its implementation, the AFP has established the AFP Human Rights Office, now the AFP Center for Law of Armed Conflict (AFP CLOAC),” he added. (GMA News)

AFP sees more rebel surrenderers in NorMin

Posted on by cmn

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has expressed confidence that more communist rebels will give up arms and surrender in Northern Mindanao in the coming weeks.

In a statement Thursday, Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol, Eastmincom commander, said the death of Jose Maria Sison, co-founder of Communist Party of the Philippines, has affected the morale of its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).

“With this situation, we expect more of their comrades to surface and lay down their arms,” Almerol said.

Almerol also called on remaining NPA combatants “to surrender without hesitation as the freedom and benefits of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) are waiting upon their return.”

Almerol’s statement came after the surrender of eight NPA leaders on Jan. 3 in Lantapan and Pangantucan towns, Bukidnon.

The following day, the surrenderers led the government troops to the location of three arms caches in Barangay Tikalaan and Barangay Miarayon in Talakag, Bukidnon, resulting in the recovery of several firearms and medical supplies.

Meanwhile, the Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office presented five former rebels who surrendered early this week.

“It was a good decision I surrendered, because I want my children to continue going to school,” a former rebel was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the police. (Nef Luczon/PNA)