Farmers’ group slams promotion of military officials

MANILA, Philippines — The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) lambasted on Wednesday the Commission on Appointments after it confirmed the promotion of military officials, saying the “rewarded” officers were responsible for the militarization of peasant communities.

The KMP said the supposed militarization has resulted to unabated human rights abuses against farmers, indigenous people, and rural folks.

“Their promotion is the height of injustice. Why reward killers and mass murderers? These officials have blood on their hands. They have direct command authority and responsibility for the atrocities being committed by Philippine Army soldiers against farmers who suffer human rights abuses in the hands of the mercenary AFP,” KMP Chairperson Danilo Ramos said in a statement.

“An additional star on their sleeve is equivalent to farmers and Lumad killed, tortured, unjustly arrested and detained, and subjected to various human rights violations,” Ramos said.

Among the officers confirmed for promotion by the CA are Vice Admiral Rene Medina, commander of Western Command; Lieutenant General Felimon Santos Jr., commander of Eastern Mindanao Command; and Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay, commander of the military’s Southern Luzon Command.

READ: CA confirms 1 JBC member, 50 military officers before adjournment

According to KMP, also promoted to their next ranks are several commanding officers of the Philippine Army infantry battalions and brigades leading operations such as the Community Organizing for Peace and Development, civil military operations, intelligence operations, psy-war operations, and other counterinsurgency operations that group claimed to be targeting farmers and civilians. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)