“For those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute, speak up and judge fairly. Defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Bishops believe release of 3 wounded NPA on humanitarian ground will help peace talks

Davao City – Bishops belonging to the clergy-led Exodus for Justice and Peace reiterates their appeal to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) hierarchy to release the three NPA hors de combat on humanitarian grounds saying the release of the three will aid in the pursuance of peace talks.

The group was referring to Vanessa delos Reyes, Ariel Haducana, and Jason Casilum whom the AFP is keeping in hospital arrest after being critically wounded in a military encounter on May 29 in Davao Oriental. The Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division has rendered the three as its de facto prisoners of war (POW).

The group expressed this plea citing that in the past they have appealed to the New People’s Army to release its captured AFP officers and soldiers or POWs based on humanitarian grounds.

“Our call is ever more important, now that we are tracking peace talks,” convenor of the group Bishop Modesto Villasanta said. “The release of the three will definitely aid in confidence building for both the government and the NDF in pursuing peace talks,” he said.

“Instead of using peace rhetoric for military operations and insisting that the NPA is a local terrorist, the military must heed the call to support peace negotiations by observing and respecting signed agreements between the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF),” Villasanta added.

Among the agreements include the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), and other international conventions such as the Geneva Conventions that provide rules on war.

“These agreements provide what is prohibited – such as the use of public places, including schools and barangay gyms, for military operations and provide mechanisms on how to protect persons not (anymore) taking direct part in armed hostilities, for example, relatives, hors de combat and medical professionals among others,” Villasanta said.

“The AFP seems to be ignoring the fact that the Philippine government is in a peace negotiations; they continue to tag NPAs as terrorists and file criminal cases against them. Clearly, this does not help the peace talks!” Bishop Delfin Callao, convenor of the group.

“Lisod man kung sige ingon ang AFP nga for peace sila, but only uses this as cover para ipadayon ang ilang combat operations in the hinterlands of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental,” Callao added.###

Bishops believe release of 3 wounded NPA on humanitarian ground will help peace talks
Press Release
June 24, 2011

Saturday, June 25, 2011 by Exodus for Justice and Peace · 0

Friday, June 24, 2011

Release NPA Hors de Combat on Humanitarian Grounds; A Call in Support of the GPH-NDFP Peace Talks


“If your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink. (Proverbs 25:21) As civil libertarians, church people, and human rights advocates, we are imploring this basic faith imperative along with our appeal to humanize the raging armed conflict in the country.

We have appealed to the New People’s Army in the past, calling on them to release prisoners of war on humanitarian grounds. In response, the NPA has released captured Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) soldiers and officers allowing them to reunite with their anguished wives and families.

We are now submitting an appeal to Lt. Gen. Arthur Tabaquero, chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command and Major General Jorge Segovia, commander of the 10th Infantry Division of the AFP to release the NPA hors de combat Vanessa delos Reyes, Ariel Haducana, and Jason Casilum whom they are keeping in hospital arrest after being critically wounded in a military encounter on May 29 in Davao Oriental.  The Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division has rendered the three as its de facto prisoners of war.

Hors de combat, whether AFP or NPA fighters, are combatants who have been injured, rendered incapable of engaging in active combat, and are accorded rights to medical care and other rights under international humanitarian law.  For this, we commend Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for his timely help in transporting the NPA hors de combat so that they could gain access to life-saving medical treatment. We also laud those well-meaning individuals who have aided Vice Mayor Duterte in facilitating the emergency medical evacuation of the seriously wounded guerillas.

We believe that reciprocity is incumbent upon both protagonists in the civil war. As the NPA has released prisoners of war in the past, the time now calls on the AFP to reciprocate with its own humanitarian gestures.  

If heeded by the AFP, this will be a significant step to humanize the dire impact of civil war on human lives and, more importantly, to bring forth confidence in the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

It does not bode well therefore that criminal, not even rebellion charges, have been lodged against the NPA hors de combat to justify their continuing detention. While this has made their hospital arrest arguably legal or illegal, ours is a humanitarian appeal for their immediate release to their families.

It is an appeal based on their intrinsic rights as hors de combat in international humanitarian law and under the GPH-NDFP Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) which is subscribed to by both the AFP and the NPA.

Poverty and oppression have bred the present armed conflict that has raged for more than forty years in our country. Thus, we foresee that the civil war will continue as long as the roots of armed conflict are not addressed.

In the meantime, we can only call for sustained GPH-NDFP peace talks and hope to humanize the war, and we shall do so for every family tormented by the detention of their loved ones as prisoners of war or as hors de combat. This faith imperative has resonated since Biblical times: "Would you kill men you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master. (2 Kings 6:22)"

SIGNED

Bishop Delfin D. Callao Jr. Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Bishop Constante D. Claro   United Church of Christ in the Philippines
Bishop Modesto Villasanta   UCCP-South Eastern Mindanao Jurisdiction
Sister Elvira Soleminio, m.a. Coordinator, Missionaries of the Assumption
Dr. Jean Lindo Anesthesiologist
Mr. Teng Mangansakan Independent Film Director
Mr.  Arnel Mardoquio Independent Film and Theater Writer/Director
Ms.  Lyndee Prieto Artist/Production Manager
Sr. Diane Cabasagan, RGS  Center for Overseas Worker in Davao
Mr. Rogelio A. Macatol National Coordinator, Lay Forum Philippines
Father Jonathan Casimina Davao Episcopal Church
Sister Nimfa Bana Sisters’ Association in Mindanao
Sister Julita P. Encarnacion, m.a. Rural Missionaries of the Philippines Southern Mindanao

Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) Social Ministry Community in Davao
S. Ma. Mila G. Ortega, RVM, S. Ma. Zosima N. Capua, RVM, S. Ma. Erlinda S. Cruz, RVM,  S. Ma.  Estela C. Biliran, RVM, S. Ma. Anita M. Talbo, RVM, Longina S. Banais, Vivian Davalan, Luisa Canoy, Gina Adlawan, Marissa Gory, Jeramelyn Cayetano, Kristine Amboy, Federico Epifanio Sr., Adela Almano, Virginia T. Rivamonte, Erlina P. Ballo, Pilar N. Ripo, Edlin Tabulong, RSW, Jhoanna G. Bisnar, RSW, Lydia A. Dalin-as, Cresilda D. Hamili, Emelyn B. Ebol, Ray G. Rodica, Joseph Macapobre, Ailyn A. Feurzas, Nonie L. Acas, Arceli C. Monterola, Mary Grace Lonzaga, Anngie Parreño, Reah Lyn B. Lambunao, Daregin A. Insulla, Marie Fe Miole, Lita Daloy, Jie Campo, Helen Grace Briones, Lewelyn Abcede, Lea Frota, Bernie Chavez, Anita T. Say-a, Dionie Eguia, Mark Escote, Jhun Dacumbar, Carmen Nolunan

Missionaries of the Assumption (m.a.) Community in Davao
 Sister Concepcion P. Gasang, m.a. Assumption College of Davao, Elsbeth Fritzie D. Castillo, Jopriz BuenoIvory Mae C. de Asis, Fe O. Palma, Sahara Theresa Buit, Paul Michael Olorvida, Stephani Saludo, Floredeliza P. Masugot, Michelle H. Dela Vega, Nora B. Minorias, Rochelle Sta. Ana, Judith Ambalong, Peter Jay T., Reygil C. Lagura, Tetzlee Rose Salondaguil, Carmela G. Urmeneta, Jeleo A. Lupis, Marites Bersabal, Ruel Larutin, Jennifer B. Calinawan, Pauline Joy B. Perez, Archie Gonzaga, Pinky B. Galicha, Elsa B. Villanueva, Daisy Palconit, Charlotte F. Florito, Evelinda O. Castillo, Ethel Marie Y. Aguilar, Grace B. Tulo, Giovanni A. Montez, Ymerrie Rose L. Payad, May Ann Joan B. Cagulada, DM Carascal, Rocky L. Macatambad, Grace S. Sayas, Ma. Raida H. Humbria, Marlyn Serenado, Michelle L. Alfaro, Eva G. Dismas, Marites A. Cañedo, Janesan A. Malinao, Jeanelyn Dailo, Loraine Estorba, Dinah Clopano

United Church of Christ in the Philippines Southern Mindanao District Conference
Rev. Elmer N. Zapanta Conference Minister, Rev. Teresita N. Aton Deputy Conference Minister, Rev. Sarly Templado, Tito Bodiongan Conference Staff, Roel N. Noval Conference Staff,  Engr. Bonifacion S. Aton, Raffy M. Antes, Julieta Noleli, Laurence Jan S. Salve, Denver Hocamez, Sylvia S. Anopia, Eric Aparicio





Release NPA Hors de Combat on Humanitarian Grounds
A Call in Support of the GPH-NDFP Peace Talks
June  2011

Friday, June 24, 2011 by Exodus for Justice and Peace · 0

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Bishop urges, stop using peace rhetoric for military operations

Davao City - A bishop of the clergy-led peace group Exodus for Justice and Peace (EJP) expressed today his concern over the Army’s 10th Infantry Division for its malicious use of peace rhetoric over the Army’s continued military operations in the region.

“We view with concern how the military uses the terms “peace and development” to describe their combat-heavy operations. Six months after these supposedly “peace-driven” activities have started in our country, we have heard the cries of our people. Where is peace then?” said Bishop Delfin Callao, convenor of the group.

Bishop Callao said that an interfaith peace and solidarity mission is currently in Cateel, Davao Oriental to investigate the reported cases of military forces encamped in public places including schools and barangay gyms for military operations.

Quoting reports from human rights workers in the field, the AFP’s 10th ID forces are said to be deployed in towns and civilian communities of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. “We do not see these activities of the military as peace efforts but combat operations, detrimental to solving the roots of armed conflict,” Bishop Callao said.

“While we call on the government of the Philippines to pursue the peace talks by complying with the intent of their Joint Oslo Statement in September 21, 2011 to release political prisoners, we also call on the military to immediately stop the militarization of civilian communities,” Bishop Callao said.

“Under the tenets of the International Humanitarian Law, it is prohibited to use schools and other public places for military purposes,” Bishop Callao added.###

PRESS RELEASE
June 15, 2011

Wednesday, June 15, 2011 by Exodus for Justice and Peace · 0

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Respect NPA hors de combat, peace group urges

DAVAO CITY – Peace group Exodus for Justice and Peace is calling for the respect of the  human rights of the three wounded New People’s Army (NPA) members who sought the intervention of local authorities. It also warned the 10th ID of the AFP from interfering with local civilian authorities in the medical treatment of the NPA hors de combat.

EJP echoed calls for the recognition of the international humanitarian law with respect to injured combatants or hors de combat, especially in the context of the upcoming peace talks between the GPH and the NPA’s negotiating arm, the NDFP.

EJP convenor Bishop Modesto Villasanta said, “The state must ensure not only the rights of the three NPA hors de combat to immediate medical attention but after they are treated, they should be released should there be no cases filed against them.” He cited Numbers 1 and 2, Article 4, under Part IV of the GPH-NDF Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights  and the International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

“The family of Vanessa delos Reyes, one of the wounded NPA members, have sought the assistance of the EJP and reported that elements under the 10th Infantry Division are forcing the visitors to sign a logbook. As a guerilla rendered an hors de combat (wounded and incapable of fighting back) Vanessa should now be afforded with the same right as the other patients.  She should be in a condition conducive to her early recovery, and hence, she and all those attending to her medication should be free from any threat, intimidation, or whatsoever,” he said.

“With respect to the upcoming peace talks this month, the government must show its sincerity by affording these NPA members rights that are due them,” Bp. Villasanta added.

CARHRIHL provides that:1) Persons hors de combat and those who do not take a direct part in hostilities are entitled to respect for their lives, dignity, human rights, political convictions and their moral and physical integrity and shall be protected in all circumstances and treated humanely without any adverse distinction founded on race, color, faith, sex, birth, social standing or any other similar criteria. 2) The wounded and the sick shall be collected and cared for by the party to the armed conflict which has them in its custody or responsibility. ###

PRESS RELEASE
June 1, 2011

Thursday, June 2, 2011 by Exodus for Justice and Peace · 0