AFP renews commitment to uphold human rights

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Army yesterday renewed its commitment to uphold human rights in its operations amid cases of enforced disappearances attributed to soldiers.

Soldiers recited a human rights pledge during simultaneous flag ceremonies in military camps in observance of the Human Rights Consciousness Week.

Col. Perfecto Rimando Jr., Army Human Rights Office chief, led the recital of pledge at the Army’s main headquarters in Fort Bonifacio.

The renewal of commitment to human rights came in the wake of persistent allegations that soldiers are behind enforced disappearances and deaths of people critical of the government.

Among violations being blamed on soldiers is the disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos, who was allegedly kidnapped by armed men in Quezon City in 2007.

Burgos was reportedly dragged into a Toyota Revo van with a license plate traced to another vehicle earlier impounded by the military in Bulacan.

An Army officer, Maj. Harry Baliaga Jr., has been implicated in Burgos’ disappearance but denied involvement in the case. He has expressed readiness to face charges against him.

Complaints against other security officials have been dismissed after state prosecutors failed to find probable cause to file charges against them.

Another high-profile case was the disappearance of student activists Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño who went missing in Bulacan in 2006.

Activists have accused retired Army general Jovito Palparan Jr. of being the brains behind the alleged kidnapping of the two students. Palparan remains at large.

Despite allegations, the Army said it would continue “to protect, defend and promote human rights.”

“The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) does not only protect human rights, we also work to uplift human lives,” AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said in a statement.

National Human Rights Consciousness Week is commemorated from Dec. 4 to 10 every year.