More human rights violations recorded in 2008 - Karapatan

CEBU - There have been 111 documented cases of human rights violations in Region 7 for 2008, most of which allegedly happened during counter-insurgency operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said the cause-oriented group Karapatan.

Karapatan Secretary General for Visayas Dennis Michael Abarrientos said is 50 percent more than the 74 recorded cases in Region 7 last year. Of the 111 documented cases this year, 47 allegedly happened in Cebu. Last year, only 24 cases were being documented in Cebu.

This year, 247 individuals were allegedly victimized, 31 of which are children. Affected households reached 225 while affected individuals numbered at 1,350.

Karapatan said most of the violations were allegedly committed in the lush Tamlang Valley of southern Negros Oriental, which recorded half of the documented cases, specifically seven cases of torture.

The area is the site of multi-million dollar biofuel project of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.  

Karapatan also said 2008 marked a steep rise in the number of illegal arrests and abductions in the region.

From the 12 recorded incidents last, incidents of illegal arrests allegedly reached 36 this year involving 66 victims, four of which are children.

Likewise, 37 allegedly experienced harassment, including 16 minors.

Harassment also figured high with 28incidents and 37 victims, including 16minors.last year, there was only 20 incidents, according to Karapatan.

Karapatan said the AFP allegedly cannot distinguish between civilians and combatants during their operations and oftentimes automatically brand civilians in the mountain areas as supporters of the New People’s Army.

Abarrientos said the victims, their families, and communities are now mobilizing to empower themselves through human rights education, dialogues, and mass actions to combat the terror.

“Aware that real justice cannot be had through our present judicial system, the victims and others affected by state repression are rightly widening their options for remedies beyond the confines of the courts and our laws through formal and informal avenues here and abroad,” Abarrientos said. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/JMO (THE FREEMAN)