Group: Rights abuses rising in Northern Mindanao amid martial law

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Cases of abuse against civilians, allegedly perpetrated by government forces, continued to pile up in Northern Mindanao region amid the declaration of martial law on the entire island of Mindanao, the International Fact-Finding and Solidarity Mission (IFFSM) said this week.

The group, whose members conducted the mission in Malaybalay City on April 6 to 7, reported at least 54 cases of human rights violations in the provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental from January to March this year.

First Lt. Teresita Ingente, spokesperson for the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID), said the military would comment on the allegations only if cases had been filed in court.

‘Lumad’ as targets

She dared those who claimed their rights were violated to  file formal complaints in court, complete with their accounts of the abuse and the names of soldiers concerned, so the Armed Forces of the Philippines could answer these in the proper forum.

Ingente said the 4ID would not tolerate abusive personnel. She assured the Army would take appropriate actions, such as recommending demotion or dismissal from service, against erring soldiers.

Czarina Golda Musni of the Union of People’s Lawyers in Mindanao, cited the case of Aniceto Lopez Jr., who was allegedly shot and killed by a member of the Philippine Marines at Barangay Paitan in Quezon town, Bukidnon, on Jan. 22.

Lopez, who died from seven bullet wounds, was accused of being a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) days before he was killed, Musni said.

Other violations noted by IFFSM were 18 cases of threats and intimidation; 18 cases of “forced surrender”; seven cases of trumped up charges; six cases of illegal arrest and detention; two cases of illegal search and seizure;  a case of torture; and a case of “frustrated EJK (extrajudicial killing),” said Winnie Loable, vice chair of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas in Northern Mindanao.

Counterinsurgency

Loable said farmers and “lumad” (indigenous peoples) were often targeted by the military’s counterinsurgency drive.

“They are accused of being NPA members or supporters simply because they actively take part in land struggles and are members of farmers’ groups,” Loable said. “They’re charged with trumped-up cases.”

Cathy Estavillo, secretary general of the National Federation of Peasant Women , said farmers could no longer work in their farms for fear of being illegally arrested.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, who also joined the mission, said the mission would submit its report to the Department of Justice, the Commission on Human Rights, the House of Representatives, and the Senate, and other agencies, hoping to generate action to address these violations.