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2.4K NPA human rights violations logged from 1968 to 2009: AFP

By Priam Nepomuceno

October 7, 2022, 9:15 am

<p>AFPCLOAC chief Brig. Gen. Joel Alejandro Nacnac (left) and Commission on Human Rights chair Richard Palpal-Latoc (right) <em>(Photo courtesy of AFP)</em></p>

AFPCLOAC chief Brig. Gen. Joel Alejandro Nacnac (left) and Commission on Human Rights chair Richard Palpal-Latoc (right) (Photo courtesy of AFP)

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines Center for Law of Armed Conflict (AFPCLOAC) said human rights (HR) violations committed by the New People's Army (NPA) from 1968 to 2009 have totaled 2,443.

The AFPCLOAC headed by Brig. Gen. Joel Alejandro Nacnac submitted these records on Thursday to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair Richard Palpal-Latoc, detailing these abuses committed by the insurgents.

Aside from this, Nacnac also resubmitted to HR and international humanitarian law (IHL) violations of the insurgents from 2010 to the first semester of 2022.

As part of its mandate, the AFPCLOAC continues to monitor HR and IHL by non-state armed groups such as the NPA.

The NPA has been committing violent activities targeting both government and civilians for more than five decades.

"Previously, a list of 1,788 incidents of probable CTG (NPA) HR/IHL violations were submitted to CHR and other concerned agencies. However, after thorough deliberations, the said list was updated, bringing the number of total violations to 1,730," said AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Jorry Baclor.

Likewise, a list of 156 probable NPA HR and IHL violations for the first semester of calendar year (CY) 2022 was also submitted by the AFPCLOAC, bringing the total number of NPA violations to 1,886.

Nacnac stated that this set of data will lead to the filing of appropriate charges of HR abuses as well as IHL cases against the NPAs.

Based on the initially consolidated data of reports from the concerned agencies and AFP units, NPA HR/IHL abuses from CYs 1968 to 2009 account for 2,443 cases or incidents.

This includes 40 cases of employment of child fighters, 432 incidents of destruction of civilian-owned properties, 72 uses of anti-personnel mines (APMs) or improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 1,606 cases of willful killings, and 293 other HR abuses.

These terroristic acts resulted in the killing of 2,312 and injuring of 485 individuals (mostly civilians) for a total of 2,797 casualties.

“These reports would show that from 1968 to the 1st semester of 2022, at least a total of 4,329 violations were committed by the CTGs (NPAs) It is noteworthy to know that there are a lot of CTG HR/IHL violations that were not recorded or reported as of today,” the AFPCLOAC chief said.

“These atrocities should not be left with impunity. The AFP will continue to monitor HR/IHL violations by the CTG (NPA) and will continuously coordinate with appropriate agencies in this whole-of-nation approach to put an end to the group’s crimes against humanity. With the assistance and support of the CHR and other concerned agencies of the government, we will be able to put a stop to the CPP-NPA-NDF’s criminal acts,” Nacnac added.

The AFP remains faithful to the rule of law and steadfast in upholding its constitutional duty to protect the people against all forms of threats, and let lasting peace and security prevail. (PNA)

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