Phil. Army ‘open’ to CHR probe
But what about atrocities committed by the CPP-NPA?
THE commanding general of the Philippine Army’s 8TH Infantry Division, the Army command responsible for internal security operations in Eastern Visayas, welcomed the announcement of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to “investigate” the conduct of its successful anti-terrorist operation in Eastern Samar last August 16, 2021, that killed 20 members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA).
“Wala naman kaming itinatago,” said Major Gen. Pio Diñoso, in a talk with Pinoy Exposé.
The whole day offensive in the village of Osmeña, Dolores, Eastern Samar, was thus far the biggest counter-terrorist operation targeting the members of the NPA launched by the Philippine Army in the last two years that also utilized the air assets in the military’s arsenal.
The assault immediately resulted to the death of 16 NPA terrorists while the bodies of four others were subsequently recovered by the ground troops during clearing operations.
No casualty was reported on the government side with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) admitting they suffered a “huge loss” during the attack (see also Pinoy Exposé Issue No. 34).
Immediately, CPP front organizations made noise thru their allies in the mainstream media, blasting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for its “disproportionate use of force.” The noise prompted the CHR in Region 8 to announce it would probe the incident.
Not surprisingly, the CPP, thru the National Democratic Front (NDF) in a statement last August 26, 2021, said they “welcome” the planned investigation.
“We urge the CHR to immediately carry out the independent investigation. Other independent human rights bodies are also free to carry out fact-finding missions on the effect of the bombing and other human rights violations committed by state forces in the surrounding communities,” the NDF said.
But while welcoming the CHR investigation, Diñoso also called on the CHR to also investigate the many atrocities committed by the communist terrorist group (CTG) that resulted to the death of soldiers, policemen and civilians.
“Dapat imbestigahan din nila ang mga pagpatay ng NPA sa aking mga sundalo, sa mga pulis, sa mga sibilyan; ang kanilang pagsunog sa mga ari-arian ng mga kumpanyang ayaw magbigay sa kanila,” the military official said.
Only last July 9, 2021, the CHR issued a statement condemning the NPA for its use, two days earlier, of anti-personnel mines (APMs) against the unarmed members of the 52ND Infantry Battalion who were out to do carpentry works for the benefit of villagers in Jipapad, Eastern Samar. One soldier and two civilian militias were killed in the attack while 6 others were wounded.
The CHR also committed to investigate another clash between government troops and the terrorists in Borongan, Eastern Samar last May 3, 2021.
However, it was noted that in both incidents, the CHR has not yet completed its investigation, while announcing it is again set to investigate the military operation in Dolores.
Diñoso also noted that since last year, they have been urging the CHR to probe the death of a 23-years old unarmed soldier last July 6, 2020, in Bgy. Canvais, Motiong, Samar, who was ambushed by a band of terrorists.
Diñoso said the perpetrators hacked their victim in the head, resulting to parts of his brain to spill out before burning him along with his motorcycle.
Last July 29, 2021, Diñoso said the communist terrorist group (CTG) also attacked and burned the construction equipment belonging to MDU Construction in Brgy. Quirino and Brgy. San Francisco, both in Las Navas, Northern Samar.
Soldiers tasked to investigate the report of the incident were then ambushed by the NPA in the vicinity of Bgy. Dolores, Las Navas, resulting to the death of one soldier and the wounding of two more.
Afterwards, the terrorists proceeded to burn another set of construction equipment belonging to JUFFA Construction.
The official said these incidents are clear violation of human rights and international humanitarian laws by the CPP-NPA and which should also be probed by the CHR and other human rights organizations.
