AFP to hold human rights seminar for intel personnel

MANILA, Philippines - The military is to hold a human rights forum for its intelligence personnel today to ensure that their operations would be compliant with international humanitarian law and other existing policies.

The Armed Forces Intelligence Community Human Rights Forum will be held at the intelligence service headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Armed Forces acting public affairs chief Maj. Enrico Ileto said the forum seeks to promote a strong advocacy towards “human rights-compliant intelligence operations.”

He said the event kicks off the celebration of the 54th anniversary of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) this month.

“In order for its military personnel to be guided with the right values and advocacy, the military continues to invest extensively in human rights education and values formation,” Ileto said.

The lecture on human rights will be delivered by Commission on Human Rights chairperson and former lawmaker Loretta Ann Rosales.

Armed Forces Human Rights Office chief Col. Domingo Tutaan Jr. will deliver a lecture on the military’s policies while Ellecer Carlos of the Balay Rehabilitation Foundation will tackle the Convention Against Torture.

The forum would also be attended by Armed Forces deputy chief for intelligence Maj. Gen. Francisco Cruz Jr., ISAFP chief Maj. Gen. Romulo Bambao, and intelligence operatives.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. said they would continue to strengthen the promotion of human rights among their personnel.

“It is compelling for us to provide our soldiers ample knowledge with regard to respecting the rights of all people. We are mandated by law to protect not only our territory but also those who reside therein,” Oban said.

The military launched last January the “Human Rights-Based Intelligence Operations Guidebook,” a 40-page guidebook for intelligence gathering.

The handbook is based on the policies of the armed forces’ defense plan Bayanihan, which focuses on non-combat operations to address the causes of rebellion.

The guidebook bans wiretapping unless permitted by court. It also prohibited the use of torture on arrested suspects. Intelligence agents engaged in court-sanctioned surveillance operations are also required to file charges against the suspects placed under their watch within 30 days.

Activists have accused the military of resorting to killings and abductions to silence the critics of the government. Militant groups said the military’s counter-insurgency efforts have resulted in extrajudicial killings, torture and human rights abuses.

The military dismissed such accusations as propaganda of left-leaning groups.