HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

Groups Decry Atrocities in Cordillera

Does increased military presence result in more human rights violations in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)? The answer is yes as far as Cordillera-based cause-oriented groups are concerned.

By ABIGAIL T. BENGWAYAN
Northern Dispatch
Posted by Bulatlat

BAGUIO CITY - Does increased military presence result in more human rights violations in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)? The answer is yes for the Cordillera-based cause-oriented groups.

The Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) this week reported that more than 590 individuals in six communities were victims of human rights violations (HRVs) in CAR under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Located in Northern Philippines, the CAR is composed of the provinces of Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao and Abra.

Summary executions

CHRA, through its secretary general lawyer Randy Kinaud, reported that summary executions allegedly under the hands of the military, police and paramilitary groups have become rampant in the region this year. Among those killed this year were Efren Agsayang (Benguet); Victor Balais (Kalinga); Etfew Chadyaas and Johnny Camareg (Mt. Province); and Bernabe Banguey and Gavino Lawagey (Abra).

The military claimed that most these victims are NPA members or supporters. Such claims, however, were refuted by the victims’ own families, Kinaud said.

Violations of international humanitarian laws were likewise reported, such as the torture and death of an NPA member last month in Kalinga also in the hands of the military.

Violence against women and children, the CHRA also said, include one case of a resident “turned into a comfort woman,” three cases of attempted rape, two incidents of gang rape, seven incidents of rape and 11 other cases of sexual harassment. The perpetrators were identified as military and police personnel, the CHRA said.

For its part, Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights) stressed that “state terrorism so far has been the worst man-made calamity that hit the country, and government is responsible for it.”

Militarization

The HRVs, CHRA said, happened as the Cordillera region remained militarized. There are two infantry brigades of the 5th Infantry Division based here in Baguio City. Other military units are the 501st Valiant Brigade in Tabuk, Kalinga; and the 502nd Liberator Brigade in Bontoc, Mt. Province.

Meanwhile, the 503rd Justice and Peace Brigade which is Ilocos Sur-based extends its operations in Abra and nearby areas of Kalinga through the 41st Infantry brigade (IB) in Lagangilang, Abra.

Kalinga in northern Cordillera remains the most militarized province in the region, according to CHRA.  There are at least five companies of Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU, a paramilitary unit); 29 Civilian Armed Auxiliary (CAA, a group of CAFGUs) patrol bases in the province; one brigade, two battalions with four companies and one Separate Rifle Company of the 21st IB.

In Baguio City, military and paramilitary auxiliaries conduct commando-type operations while conducting medical missions coordinated with local government units where people’s organizations are strong, CHRA reported.

Similarly, members of the 54th and 77th IB conduct military operations in Ifugao communities where the presence of the New Peoples Army (NPA) is reportedly strong. The Alpha Coy of the 54th IB is in Lamut while the Bravo Coy of the 77th IB is based in Banaue. The latter also maintains detachments in Pinto, Alfonso Lista, Haliap and Asipulo of the same province.

Quelling opposition to militarization

CHRA said many villagers are wary over the strong military presence in their communities, with some openly opposed. To quell people’s opposition to militarization, the soldiers use various approaches.

In Abra, for instance, the military uses “the soft, civic approach,” the CHRA reported. Aside from medical missions and literacy programs, military and paramilitary forces in the province also engage in community work and immerse themselves in social gatherings like acting as ninong (sponsor) in weddings. The 503rd Brigade operates in the towns of Lagangilang, Manabo, San Juan, Baay-Licuan, Sallapadan, and Tineg.

The 502nd Brigade which operates in Mt. Province also extends its operations in the provinces of Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, and Isabela.

Military recruitment

The CHRA reported that recruitment in paramilitary groups including the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA, a breakway rebel group organized by the late ex-priest Conrado Balweg in 1986) is active in the region, especially in the 10 Abra towns. In the same province, warlords even employ the CPLA as security personnel, the rights watch said.

Despite its history of atrocities, including the deaths of Ama Daniel Ngayaan in Kalinga and Romy Gardo in Abra in 1987, the CPLA has been integrated to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through an executive order by Macapagal-Arroyo in 2001.

According to the CHRA, the CPLA is active in “illegal and terrorist activities, such as extortion and kidnap for ransom.” Northern Dispatch/Bulatlat

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