AFPHRO Statement on the attack on non-combatants and non-military targets in San Pedro, Sison, Surigao del Norte

 

From the Website of AFP
links: https://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/8-afp-news/967-afphro-statement-on-the-attack-on-non-combatants-and-non-military-targets-in-san-pedro-sison-surigao-del-norte

AFPHRO Statement on the attack on non-combatants and non-military targets in San Pedro, Sison, Surigao del Norte

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Human Rights Office (AFPHRO) strongly condemns the cowardly attack of the Communist NPA terrorists on the house of the local mayor of Sison, Surigao del Norte, as it violates international humanitarian law (IHL), which prohibits attacks on civilians and civilian objects.  

Reports show that the Communist Terrorist Group numbering more or less ten (10) individuals and believed to be members of SYP16B, Guerilla Front 16, fired upon the residence of Municipal Mayor Karissa Fetalvero, after attacking the Municipal Police Station in the morning of January 28, 2021. Fortunately, there were no casualties in the attack on the mayor's house.

COL JOEL ALEJANDRO S NACNAC GSC (INF) PA, Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Human Rights Office (AFPHRO)  stated that the act of the Communist Terrorist Group violates the principle of distinction under  the laws of armed conflict/international humanitarian law. The principle enunciates that civilians and civilian objects or structures should be spared and not subjected of attack, because only combatants or military objectives can be targeted in an armed conflict. This, COL NACNAC emphasized, constitutes a violation of Section 4 (c) of RA 9851, our domestic law on international humanitarian law (IHL), otherwise known as the "Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.

Such an attack is deemed to be serious violations of the laws and customs applicable to armed conflict within the established framework of international humanitarian law, added COLONEL NACNAC. Intentionally directing attacks against individual citizens not taking direct part in the hostilities, and/or intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects, that is, objects which are not military objectives are prohibited acts under that particular provision of the law. We call upon all citizens to denounce the CPP-NPA atrocities. We assure the public that your Armed Forces of the Philippines will continue to safeguard and fulfill your human rights.///

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