AFP welcomes case filed by indigenous peoples group before UN

MANILA, Philippines - The military is ready to answer the case filed before the United Nations (UN) for its alleged human rights violations against the indigenous people of Mindanao.

Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman Col. Romeo Brawner said they welcome the suit filed by indigenous groups because this would allow them to shed light on the issue.

“Since there is a complaint, an investigation will be conducted and the truth will come out. The military is not hiding anything,” Brawner said in a phone interview on Thursday.

“The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) is ready to respond to the allegations,” he added.

Earlier, Pasaka or the Confederation of Indigenous People in Southern Mindanao filed a complaint against the military before the UN for its supposed abusive practices in the region.

The group accused the armed forces and paramilitary units of occupying schools, killings, forcible recruitment, harassment, forcible displacement, intimidation and vilification of activists.

Pasaka said cases would also be filed before local courts.

Brawner said the group’s accusations against the military are “baseless.” He claimed that the mass evacuations of residents were induced by the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of communist rebels.

“The NPA told them (residents) to leave because there would be massive military operations. They did that so that no one would be around when soldiers conduct peace and development activities,” the military official said.

With regard to the presence of soldiers in civilian communities, Brawner said the troops are involved in development activities.

“We do not tolerate human rights violations. If a violation is committed, we will not hesitate to file charges against the violators,” he added.

Brawner claimed that the complainants are being influenced by communist rebels who want to drive away the soldiers in the area.