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BAGUIO CITY – Cordillera human rights groups have urged the government to cease bombing runs, and artillery shelling in the municipality of Balbalan as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continue its offensive against New People’s Army guerrillas.
In separate statements on Thursday, March 9, the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) and Justice and Peace Advocates in Kalinga (JPAK) expressed concern over the safety of civilians and possible disruption of economic activities in the affected communities. According to the groups, the March 9 bombing was the second incident recorded in Barangay Gawaan. The first aerial bombardment and artillery shelling happened on March 5.
“We raise alarm and concern over the safety and security of civilians in the communities, and the long-term socio-economic impacts of military operations in Balbalan and neighboring municipalities,” CHRA said.
“The gunfire and bombings are reported too close to the civilians and residences. The International Humanitarian Law that guarantees the safety and security of civilians should be ensured,” the group added.
In a press release, the AFP’s 5th Infantry Division said troops from the 50th Infantry Battalion encountered about 15 NPA fighters in Brgy. Gawaan on March 9. The 10-minute clash resulted in the death of one of the rebels and the recovery of several firearms and other personal and subversive materials.
JPAK said the government had deployed additional ground troops in the area. They also received reports that the military positioned a howitzer at Sitio Gisang, Barangay Poblacion, which is the source of the artillery fire in Gawaan. According to them, the military operation has also disrupted economic activities in the affected villages.
“We appeal for the immediate stop of the military operations and indiscriminate bombing. We call on the local government to ensure the safety of the affected residents and provide the necessary assistance,” the group said.
They also call on the Commission on Human Rights and the International Committee of the Red Cross to conduct independent and impartial investigations of the reported bombings.
Stop bombing, talk peace
JPAK also appealed to local government units, peace advocates, and the public to push the government to resume peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines to address the root causes of the civil war.
The peace negotiations between the government and the NDFP and the Philippine government have been on and off since the Ramos administration. The past Duterte administration terminated the peace talks in November 2017.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has yet to make a pronouncement if his administration is willing to talk with communist rebels.
Balbalan has been a site of clashes over the years. But aside from armed skirmishes, the place is also a conflict site for development projects like mining and hydroelectric power projects (HEPP). Currently, the town is the site of the proposed 49-megawatt Saltan D and the 40-MW Mabaca hydroelectric power plant (HEPP) projects. Both projects have been facing strong opposition.
The dam site for Saltan D is in Gawaan, within the territory of the Salogsog tribe – composed of barangays Salegseg (Poblacion), Gawaan, and Balantoy. Meanwhile, the proposed Mabaca HEPP is with the domains of the Mabaca and Buaya tribes. The communities rejected Saltan D during the free prior and informed consent process in September last year. # nordis.net / with reports from Kimberlie Quitasol
