HR VIOLATIONS. Top officials of the Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID), together with the Army Human Rights Office, bares the 453 human rights violations committed by the communist New People’s Army in Northern Mindanao and Caraga Regions from 2010 to 2023 during a three-day conference from Oct. 25 to 27 in Cagayan De Oro City. The 4ID also vows to make the NPA rebels accountable for the crimes committed. (Photo courtesy of 4ID)
BUTUAN CITY – The communist New People’s Army (NPA) committed at least 453 human rights violations in parts of Northern Mindanao and Caraga from 2010 to 2023, the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) said Thursday.
In a statement, the 4ID said human rights violations were recorded by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Center for Law of Armed Conflict (AFPCLOAC).
The findings were presented to the 4ID by Col. John Sebastian Fuerte, chief of Army Human Rights Office (AHRO) of the Headquarters of the Philippine Army during the three-day final case audit conducted from Oct. 25 to 27 at the 4ID Headquarters in Cagayan del Oro City.
“The three-day activity was aimed to have a comprehensive discussion on the status and progress of all the cases filed against the atrocities committed by non-state armed groups,” 4ID said.
The list of cases committed by the communist rebels in the area includes the violation of the rights of children involved in armed conflict, the destruction of civilian properties, the use of anti-personnel mines, willful killings, and other atrocities as defined by Republic Act 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.
“The results of the three-day activity significantly helped the Army come up with a clean list of cases filed,” Lt. Col. Joven Captulo, AHRO assistant chief, said.
Captulo said the findings will also help the Army in its continuing campaign against the communist rebels, which is part of the overall efforts of the government to end the local communist armed conflicts.
In the same statement, Col. Richard Esmeralda, assistant 4ID commander for Reservist and Retiree Affairs, said the command continues to hold on to its commitment to upholding human rights and to "make the communist rebels accountable for their senseless actions." (PNA)
