links: http://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/news/1077-soldiers-run-against-torture
Soldiers Run Against Torture
CAMP GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City –
To commemorate the 2012 United Nations’ “International Day in Support
of Torture Victims”, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in
partnership with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the United
Against Torture Coalition (UATC) will participate in, and host the
culminating program of the Advocacy Run, “Basta Run Against Torture”,
tomorrow at the General Headquarters (GHQ) Grandstand.
The CHR jointly spearheads the
activity with the UATC. Among the prominent Civil Society Organizations
(CSOs) and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) in this partnership are
the Task Forces Detainees; Philippine Alliance of Human Rights
Advocates; Amnesty International-Philippines; and Balay Rehabilitation
Center. The AFP through the AFP Human Rights Office (HRO) has been
engaging said organizations in its public affairs efforts on matters
related to Human Rights – International Humanitarian Law – Rule of Law
(HR-IHL-ROL).
The International Day in Support of Torture Victims
is an annual activity reaffirming a common resolve among stakeholders in
combating torture, taking a collective practical step towards ending
this crime (with reference to RA 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act of 2009),
and raising the awareness and commitment in resolving this form of
ill-treatment.
The AFP, along with the different human rights
groups and organizations will assemble 6:00 AM tomorrow at the
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Building. From there,
they will sprint along the south bound lane of EDSA Avenue until they
reach the end point at the GHQ, AFP Grandstand where a simple program
will follow. The Chairman of the CHR, Loretta Ann P. Rosales will be
tomorrow’s guest of honor and speaker as she will deliver her
inspirational/solidarity message.
Last year, the CHR and UATC
lauded the AFP for actively participating in the 2011 advocacy run, and
for clearly manifesting the military’s keen desire and efforts to put an
end to acts of torture in partnership with them. UATC also praised the
AFP as it played an active role in the former’s efforts to manifest the
armed forces’ undertakings to curb and/or eradicate torture in line with
the Strategic Approaches and Imperatives of the Internal Peace and
Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan.
This year’s activity is more
pronounced with the recent signing by the Philippines of the Optional
Protocol on the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) on April 2012. The
OPCAT is a set of rules to which the signatories agree to reaffirm that
torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
are prohibited and constitute serious violations of human rights.
In
the spirit of tomorrow’s celebration, the AFP vows to continue its
constant participation in various HR-IHL-ROL advocacies and activities
along with the different government agencies, NGOs and CSOs. This is
line with AFP’s campaign for the protection and promotion of Human
Rights.
In line with this, the AFPHRO is also very active in
teaching AFP personnel assigned in garrisons and in the field about
local laws such as the R.A. 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against
International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against
Humanity; R.A. 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act of 2009; R.A. 7438 or the
act defining the rights of arrested, detained or persons under custody
as well as the duties of the arresting, detaining and investigating
officers; and Rule 113 under the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Consistent
with the whole-of-nation and multi-stakeholder principles of the IPSP
Bayanihan, the AFPHRO has been closely coordinating with other
government agencies, human rights advocacy groups and Local Government
Units (LGUs) to spread the military's advocacy on Human Rights.
“We
are one with all other government agencies and human rights advocacy
groups and organizations in commemorating the International Day in
Support of Torture Victims. It has been one of the AFP’s commitments to
eagerly participate in these kinds of undertaking as it further promotes
the protection and upholding of the Human Rights, International
Humanitarian Law, and the Rule of law,” AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Jessie
D. Dellosa said.
“For our part, the AFP will continue to
strengthen our Human Rights and IHL advocacies. We will also continue to
strengthen our Human Rights Office which has been replicated in all
levels of commands in order to address human rights issues and concerns
as we intend to foster a culture of human rights within our ranks,”
Dellosa added.
AFP Websites
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