Friday, June 24, 2011
Release NPA Hors de Combat on Humanitarian Grounds; A Call in Support of the GPH-NDFP Peace Talks
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“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 Bueno, Ivory 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
This post was written by: Exodus for Justice and Peace
Exodus for Justice and Peace is a clergy-led peace group. Follow EJP on Twitter
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