The Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division has condemned continued human rights violations and atrocities committed by the CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) as the Command vowed to uphold human rights in the worldwide observance of the 73rd Human Rights Day on December 10, 2021.
3rd Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo bared the recorded human rights violations committed by communists-terrorists in October 2021: 16 cases of recruitment and use of child combatants, 10 cases of destruction of civilian-owned properties; 113 cases of anti-personnel mine use, 20 cases of willful killings, and 7 other alleged violations of international humanitarian law.
“As legitimate armed forces, we must defend the people in our area of responsibility against these NPA terrorists who are blatantly abusing the rights and dignity of civilians for more than five decades,” said Maj. Gen. Arevalo.
The 3ID Commander also emphasized that the division is open to an independent probe on the conduct of their military operations. “In the spirit of impartiality and justice, we are very much open to any independent investigation, particularly of those conducted by the Commission on Human Rights in our military actions, especially the recent encounter in Miag-ao that left nine NPA fatalities,” said Maj. Gen. Arevalo.
It can be recalled that CNT leader Joven Ceralvo and eight other communists-terrorists perished in an encounter with 3ID troops in Miag-ao, Iloilo on December 4, 2021. Ceralvo commanded CNT operations in Iloilo and nearby Wester Visayas provinces. He was facing criminal cases including rebellion, frustrated murder, multiple attempted murders, robbery, and arson.
“Let us be wary of these terrorists for they are hiding behind the mask of fake human rights advocates...They are trained to blame and point their guilty fingers at government security forces like us to cover their crimes,” Maj. Gen. Arevalo pointed out.
Commanding General of the Philippine Army (CGPA) Maj. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr.,, meanwhile, emphasized that the Command is committed to upholding human rights in every combat and non-combat mission.
“The Philippine Army is committed to respecting human rights and adhering to International Humanitarian Law. We are a professional organization and we will not tolerate any human rights abuses in fulfillment of our sworn mandate to serve the people and protect the land,” said the CGPA.
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