CHR, community slam NPAs on wounding of civilians, human rights violations
By Lt. Krisjuper Andreo J. Punsalan
LIANGA, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 10 -- The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) cites on a 12-page case resolution that the communist New Peoples Army (NPA) who killed Datu Jumar Bucales and his companions on October 4 last year indeed violated human rights.
“By launching an attack, the
NPA violates the principles of distinction and precaution. In gist, the
principle of distinction requires that parties to an armed conflict must
distinguish between civilians and combatants. Attacks must not be directed
against any civilians. On the other hand, the principle of precaution directs
the parties to undertake constant care to spare civilians. Unfortunately, the
NPA failed to do this. As such, they committed human rights violations by
killing Datu Jumar Bucales, Alberto Dela Pena, and Artemio Muldez and wounded
several others. All of these acts are expressly prohibited under RA
98.51…Wherefore, premises considered, the Office finds human rights violation
in this case,” stated in a report approved and signed by CHR Caraga Regional
Director Atty. Jerefe D. Tubigon-Bacang.
On a separate report,
residents, who requested anonymity, in their complaints recently, hit Communist
NPA Terrorists (CNTs) under Rizaldy Sumonod, alias Mansoy/Eman for wounding a
civilian, Braeil Salinas, 26 years old, farmer and resident of Barangay
Mabuhay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur during their harassment in the said
barangay’s patrol base last January 29. Salinas suffered a gunshot wound in the
stomach.
About more or less seven
CNTs fired upon the patrol base prompting the government forces to defend. The
civilian who was hit by the CNTs was rescued by the troops and Search and
Rescue (SARAS) Agusan del Sur immediately responded to evacuate the injured
civilian at D.O. Plaza Memorial hospital for medical attention and surgery. The
victim is now in a stable condition.
“Talagang hindi na kami
papayag na alisin ang patrol base dito dahil sa ginagawang pananakot at
pang-abuso ng mga NPA dito sa lugar namin. Sana tuluyan na silang mawala dito
sa amin dahil wala naman silang mabuting dulot,“ a complainant, said.
It can be recalled that on
February 2020, three civilians were also wounded after the NPAs lob a grenade
at Sitio Emerald (Kilometer 10) in Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur in a
desperate attempt to terrorize residents and force another evacuation scheme
(Taktikang Bakwit) to evade government forces and use civilians as human
shields.
“The CNTs’ attacks on
civilians and unarmed individuals only proved that they are desperate and
violating the CAHRIHL to terrify the people. They are on the brink of losing
their mass base since the Whole-Of-Nation Approach to End Local Communist Armed
Conflict. Without the masses, the CNTs will die a natural death,” said Lt. Col.
Joey Baybayan, commanding officer of 3rd Special Forces “Arrowhead” Battalion
(3SFBn).
“We thank the CHR for their prompt response and resolution on the human rights violations committed by the NPA terrorists. With CHR’s help, the truth about NPAs’ human rights violations by killing and injuring helpless civilians will be put injustice,” Baybayan added. (CMO, 3SFBn/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
