The human rights situation in the Ilocos Region has reflected the overall state of human rights in the Philippines. It has continued to worsen in the first half of 2008. Under Mrs. Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo’s Oplan Bantay Laya II (OBL or Operation Freedom Watch II), the attack on the people’s civil and political rights intensified. Militarization in the countryside and offensives against progressive legal organizations increased.
BY JOAN GARCIA
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
Contributed to Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 25, July 27-August 2, 2008
In Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s past State of the Nation Addresses (SoNAs), the dire human rights situation in the Philippines is often downplayed. In her 2006 SONA, Arroyo even praised retired General Jovito Palaparan for his supposed commitment in the campaign against insurgency. An upsurge in killings and abductions of civilians and members of progressive organizations was noted in the regions where Palparan was assigned.
The human rights situation in the Ilocos Region has reflected the overall state of human rights in the Philippines. It has continued to worsen in the first half of 2008. Under Mrs. Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo’s Oplan Bantay Laya II (OBL or Operation Freedom Watch II), the attack on the people’s civil and political rights intensified. Militarization in the countryside and offensives against progressive legal organizations increased.
In 2007, the Ilocos Human Rights Advocates (IHRA) documented more than 60 cases of human rights violations committed by state agents and state security forces. This year, more reported cases of summary execution, coercion, harassment, criminalization of political acts, among others, underscore state terrorism as a means of the Arroyo government to cover the ill fated condition of the people.
Militarization continues
As of March 2007, a total of 16 regular Companies, one Division Reconnaissance Company (53rd), 6 service Companies (HQ Coys of the Brigade and Battalion), and 4 support units of the 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are deployed in Northwestern Luzon.
