Revisit policy on terror, gov’t urged

Amir Mawallil

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AFP, ARMM say issues being addressed

HUMAN RIGHTS. A resident of Basilan participates in a rally last March 1 organized by civil society groups in Isabela City against human right abuses allegedly committed by government forces. (Photo by Amir S. Mawallil)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Human rights groups are asking the government to re-evaluate its policy to crack down on the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), citing various human rights violations allegedly committed by security forces.

“We have recorded a number of mistaken-identity cases, especially in the province of Basilan,” Nixon M. Alonzo of the Mindanao Anti-Torture Alliance (MATA) said in a phone interview Monday, March 5.

“Because his first name is Abdul and he is from Al-Barka (town), there is a high possibility that authorities will tag him as an Abu Sayyaf member,” Alonzo said in Filipino.

Rosemarie R. Trajano, acting secretary-general of the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), also underscored the need to review government’s war on terror.

“Of course we condemn those who really commit criminal acts whether they are members of Abu Sayyaf or not, but we hope that government will spare innocent civilians from the scene,” she said in a separate phone interview.

Trajano has expressed concern on the 300 “John Does” from Al-Barka, Basilan, who were included in a case filed against Al-Barka residents following the October 18 clash last year between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that killed more than a dozen government soldiers.

“It is dangerous as authorities could easily amend the list and just arrest anyone that fits their preference,” she said.

Col. Domingo J Tutaan, head of the human rights office of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), gave assurances that his office has been holding dialogues with human rights groups in Mindanao to address the issue. “Of course the rule of law should be followed,” Tutaan said.

Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said that a technical working group has been formed to plan the creation of a regional office of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

Last year, President Benigno Aquino III ordered the police and the military to intensify their campaign against the Abu Sayyaf.

“Mark my words: to those of you who perpetrated this atrocity, know that you are now number one on my radar. It might take some time, but make no mistake about it: you will be brought to justice to answer for your crimes,” Aquino said in a statement, referring to an incident last July in Patikul, Sulu, where members of the Abu Sayyaf killed 7 government soldiers and mutilated 5 of them. – Rappler.com

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