by magnolia_eic | Jan 8, 2011 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
BOHOL peace advocates see an overwhelming need to enhance its human rights monitoring capacity
inbed in its peace and order council’s Local Peace Forum (LPF).
At least the multi-sector representatives gathered at the Bohol Tropics January 4, to be oriented at
the Ateneo Law School Human Rights Center’s project to establish Multi-sectoral Quick Reaction
Team (MSQRTS) here to help monitor human rights and document possible allegations of violations.
At the gathering, church representatives led by Bishop Leonardo Medrosos, ecumenical groups, local
government unit representatives, lawyers from Bohol law schools, non government workers, security
forces, government agencies, representatives of the court and the media listened to the nuances of
the MSQRT established to monitor extra judicial killings and enforced disappearances.
MSQRT program coordinator Atty Ma. Krishna Gomez said that aide from the monitoring and
documentation, the project also includes training packages for human rights mainstreaming, and
psychosocial counseling to beneficiary provinces.
She shared that since the project started in 2008, the MSQRT has shared Information and shown
greater transparency and accountability amongst member institutions as well as enhanced trust
amongst members.
The establishment of the body in some provinces has brought in constructive involvement of the
media and opened up tables for discussion on the surfacing of issues and joint efforts in finding
solutions to EJK and ED.
On this, Governor Edgar Chatto hailed the efforts of Ateneo vene as he pointed out that the victim
centered mechanism brought about by the MSQRT concept is an apt move.
He however stressed that while the confluence of interests is shown in the faces of the attendees
and that the multisectoral effort is the right approach, he insists that a dialog would be done in
proceeding with the project that deems to be reactive and proactive at the same time.
Asked if the MSQRT would not be a duplication of the already set LMB, Atty Gomez said most of the
decisions would come from local stakeholders.
“It may be something new, taking the form of the old and perhaps a hybrid of the old and the new”,
Atty. Gomez said.
On the other hand, DILG Rustica Mascarinas said “I think that what we have LPF but the scope does
not include ELK and ED, so this could be an added feature of the LPF. (racPIABohol)
by magnolia_eic | Aug 13, 2010 | Headlines, National News
ANG Armed Forces of the Philippines kon AFP nipagawas karong adlawa sa ilang human rights handbook nga magsilbing giya sa militar sa paghimo sa ilang operasyon batok sa tanang “threat groups,” apil na ang communist New People’s Army.
Ang maong handbook gisulat ni Lt. Col. Samuel Sagun sa AFP Civil Relations Service uban sa pakigtambayayong sa Commission on Human Rights, International Committee on the Red Cross, ug sa European Union-Philippine Justice Support Program.
Matud pa ni Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, ang public affairs office chief sa AFP nga ang 200-ka pahina nga human rights handbook maoy magsilbing practical guide sa mga sundalo.
Gi dugang ni Burgos nga ang maong handbook magamit dili lamang sa pagbatok sa mga rebeldeng komunista, apan alang usab sa tanang internal security operations sa militar. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Jul 14, 2010 | Headlines, National News
IN his first command conference with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) held on Monday, President Benigno Aquino III ordered the military to crush enemies of the state while adhering to international human rights regulations.
The modernization of the AFP is also on President Aquino’s priority list.
But since there is lack of funds, the President is studying proposals to lease 130 hectares of land under by the AFP.
Aquino said the modernization should go along with the payment of benefits to families of soldiers killed in the line of duty and the recruitment of new soldiers.
The commander-in-chief also gave an advice to military officers who may have been demoralized by the major revamp at the AFP.
Aquino said any complaint should be brought to the AFP’s grievance system.
The past administration was hounded by allegations its security forces were involved in human rights abuses.
The new administration wants to change that image, believing the AFP can achieve victory over its enemies by upholding human rights. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | May 31, 2010 | Local News / Bohol Balita
PEACE advocates here found new recruits in the members of half of Inabanga’s 50 barangays as the government and civil society organized human rights (HR) violations watchgroup here.
In its recent efforts to enlarge the peace ripples here, the municipal peace and order council (MPOC) along with barangay captains warmly welcomed the Bohol Local Monitoring Board in launching the local human rights complaint receiving body in the town and its neighboring areas.
The LMB in Bohol was set up to help monitor compliance by the agents of the state and the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front on the Comprehensive Agreements on the Respect for Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).
CARHRIHL is one of the key agreements entered into by both conflicting parties in the 35 year old struggle to find peace in the country.
In Inabanga, 25 of its 50 barangays with prevalent cases of human rights violations got into the LMB orientation given by Bohol LMB.
Bohol LMB coordinator Romeo Teruel led the board composed of government and civil society agents in giving the proper orientation to the community.
The orientation cascades the roles and responsibilities of the members of the local LMB, which has been institutionalized by an executive order issued by Governor Erico Aumentado.
By the same executive order, Bohol can now set up around six local LMBs, two per district. Aside from Inabanga, District 2 also has an LMB set up in Talibon while District 1 has Catigbian and Loon and District 3 has Mabini and Carmen.
Mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy said he welcomed the development even as he aggressively campaigns for cottage industries translating to more jobs and better hopes for his people who have shown excellence in crafts over time.
Peace, he said is not just the absence of war but having the capability to make out for their lives and living with the means to cover their basic needs.
Historically the hometown of a local hero Francisco Dagohoy, Inabanga has eloquently shouted that the town is home to freedom and peace fighters. (PIA-Bohol)
