MANILA, Philippines - The military launched yesterday its handbook on human rights as it expressed hope that the people would be their “number one defenders” against sectors who accuse it of committing abuses.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vice chief Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu said the distribution of the handbook to field units would help reduce the number of complaints against military personnel.
“If we put our hearts and minds into it (contents of the handbook), and also practice it, the people will see that we are serious, that we are upholding the law at all times,” Mapagu said.
“They’ll (people) be the ones to defend us. They will say that we are not capable of violating human rights. They will be our number one defenders,” he added.
Mapagu said the launching of the handbook manifests AFP’s seriousness in upholding human rights and in complying with the international humanitarian law (IHL).
Col. Domingo Tutaan, head of the AFP Human Rights Office, said the handbook will allow the soldiers to understand the need to respect human rights.
“It’s not a mere compliance of the IHL. It’s not a mere compliance of the regulations but it’s a clear understanding so that we can prevent (violations),” he said.
Dubbed as the “AFP Soldiers Handbook on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law,” the book contains all laws, directives and issuances related to human rights.