THE MARCH OF MILITARY HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATORS CONTINUE UNDER PRES. PNOY AQUINO

Tinay Palabay of Karapatan group has said “It no longer comes as a surprise that the AFP’s spokesperson has again denied that there are human rights violations in the Philippines. We’ve heard the line several times in the past. Walang pagbabago. We’re used to these lies and denials but we cannot get use to the violations that are committed against the people."

In his inaugural speech on June 30, 2010, Aquino gave “marching orders” to the Justice Department to “begin the process of providing true and complete justice for all.” Five months later, at an event to commemorate human rights, he said that, “The culture of silence, injustice and impunity that once reigned is now a thing of the past.” And during his 2011 State of the Nation Address, Aquino reiterated this commitment, saying, “We are aware that the attainment of true justice does not end in the filing of cases, but in the conviction of criminals.”

“President Aquino has not lived up to his promises to bring those responsible for serious abuses to justice,” said Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Concrete measures – rather than more promises – are needed now.”

Environmental groups rebuke General Emmanuel Bautista, the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), for falsely presenting the AFP as green warriors and masking the military’s real character as protectors of environmental criminals and perpetrators of human rights violations.

General Bautista is credited as the architect of Oplan Bayanihan, which permitted the deployment of the Investment Defense Force (IDF) of the AFP as well as other paramilitary groups to mining tenements. The IDF are commissioned to protect the interests of mining companies and viciously crack down on all opposition towards large-scale mines and commercial logging operations.

“The Philippine Army became notorious perpetrators of human rights during the leadership of Gen. Bautista as its Commander in Chief. Kalikasan monitored that Philippine Army forces were suspected perpetrators in at least 16 cases of extrajudicial killings of environmental activists,” said Father Oliver Castor, Spokeperson of Task Force Justice for Environment Defenders.

The president in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines could have stopped these abuses  by the military. But he has done little, if al all, to curve it. Instead, the president has promoted known human rights violators to command positions.

IF THE PRESIDENT WOULD NOT STOP THE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION, THEN WHO WILL?