links: http://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/14-afp-data-articles/1145-npa-commits-9-hr-election-violations-with-ambush-against-mayor-guingona
NPA Commits 9 HR, Election Violations with Ambush against Mayor Guingona
- Published on Monday, 22 April 2013 15:27
- Written by PAO, AFP
CAMP GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through its Human Rights Office
(HRO) released today a list of human rights and election code violations
committed by the New People’s Army (NPA) following their attack against
Mayor Ruthie Guingona, Saturday in Ginoog City, Cagayan De Oro.
In the list, the NPA violated:- Chapter 3 of Republic Act 9851 or the Act defining and penalizing crimes against International Humanitarian Law (IHL), Genocide and Crimes Againts Humanity;
- R.A. 9262 (Violence Against Women and their Children);
- The IHL’s Principle of Distinction (victims are Non-Combatants);
- Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Right to Life, Liberty, and Security of a Person);
- Part 4 of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL);
- Presidential Decree 1866 as amended by R.A. 8294 (Illegal Possession of Firearms)
- Murder and Frustrated Murder in many counts;
- Omnibus Election Code; and
- COMELEC Resolutions of 2013 Elections.
Mayor Guingona’s
group were on their way back to Gingoog City when the NPA rebels
ambushed their convoy. Upon rescue of troops from the 58th Infantry
Battalion and other Philippine National Police personnel, Mayor Guingona
and another wounded victim were brought to Sanitarium Hospital in
Gingoog City for proper disposition and medication. The Mayor who was
later flown to Cagayan De Oro City that same day via UH-1H Huey
helicopter is now on stable condition.
The
AFP earlier condemned this recent attack by the rebel group which
further proves the NPA’s criminal nature. They are no different from
other partisan armed groups and criminals that consistently break the
law and hamper far-flung communities’ growth and development.
Despite the NPA’s
projection of being a pro-people armed group, their actions reflect
their continuous violence and consistent disrespect of Human Rights and
International Humanitarian Law.
Their
actions vehemently disrespect and violate the Comprehensive Agreement
on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law in
which they are signatories and the Republic Act No. 9851.
Earlier
this year, the violent armed group also conducted an ambush in Negros
that killed nine people, including eight civilians and one policeman.
Their attacks on DOLE and Del Monte Plantations in Bukidnon also killed
one security personnel. Last year, the violent armed group had killed a
total of 53 civilians.
The AFP
offered its sympathies to the families of the victims. The military
would like to assure our citizens that the troops in the area will
strictly follow the rules of engagement and will respect and promote
human rights in pursuit of the perpetrators of this attack. The AFP also
hopes that the collective call for justice of our peace-loving people
compel them to surrender and adhere to the rule of law.
AFP Websites
Links:
PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
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