Letter to the Editor: Reaction to editorial, "Have Filipinos really been fair to its military"

In response to the editorial of The Freeman, dated 18 February 2010 entitled, “Have Filipinos really been fair to its military”, I would like to point few things out that is noteworthy in dealing with human rights violations.

First, we should understand that the state and its agents are supposed to protect and promote the human rights of its constituents. After the Philippines signed and declared its adherence to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, the Philippines is then bound to ensure that human rights are enjoyed by all Filipinos regardless of race, gender, belief, among others.

Human Rights Violations vs. Common Crimes

Human rights violations are graver than common crimes because they are perpetrated by state agents who supposedly are the protector of human rights. The point raised in the editorial on why is there hardly a peep when communist commit similar, or even worse abuses should be directed to the AFP and the PNP instead.

If there are abuses from non-state actors to its fellow civilians, these are considered as common crimes or transgressions against the law of the land and it is the responsibility of the state and its agents to render justice to the abused through its judiciary system and enforced the full force of the law to the transgressors.

The sad truth is that armed conflict exists in the Philippines, the conduct of war is governed under the International Humanitarian Law or commonly called as the Rules of War, because warring parties, including the AFP, PNP and other paramilitary groups are both combatants.

Also, we must take note that Human Rights are sets of guarantees provided for by the United Nations to protect civilians from state abuses.

Finally, the answer to the question posed in your editorial Have Filipinos really been fair to its military, basically is yes. Filipinos should be vigilant against state abuses perpetrated by the military in order to help the institution identify and rectify their mistakes.

After all, the AFP owes its mercenary tradition from previous military formations. In fact, the AFP, as an institution are descendants of the implementor of Martial Law.

Novie de la Rama

Concerned Citizen

N. Bacalso St., Cebu City