3 MIN READ

By XIAN PATRICIO
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY—Human rights groups have renewed their call for the government to uphold International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and ensure civilians’ safety following the series of clashes in Pinuktuk, Kalinga, which resulted in the death of a New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla and the wounding of a soldier from the government side. 

On Saturday, the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance stated that these efforts should include suspending military operations (SOMO) to allow humanitarian aid and psychosocial support to reach the affected villages, whose economic activities have been disrupted by the fighting and the intensified offensive against the communist rebels.

“A SOMO is also necessary to give way to the retrieval of missing persons…and hors de combat,” said CHRA spokesperson Casselle Ton. “Only through the suspension of military operations can humanitarian aid be delivered in a peaceful and orderly manner.”

Firefights between government troops and NPA fighters broke out on November 21 in Barangay Bayao, followed by several encounters, the last one was reported on Tuesday in Barangay Allaguia. In a tribute statement, the CPP-NPA operating in the Ilocos-Cordillera identified the fatality in the November 23 clash as Victor “Changli” Daligdig, a member of the Butbut tribe from Brgy. Buscalan, Tingalayan.

CHRA said a certain Arnold Baguilolay, accused of being an NPA, has been captured and is in police custody. “His family has already reached him, and he is reportedly undergoing medical protocols. We call for the assurance of basic judicial guarantees in his case,” Ton stated.

“In the event that more individuals are captured, detaining parties must publicize information, ensure contact with families, and allow them to receive aid,” she added.

General Gulliver Señires, Commanding Officer of the 5th Infantry Division, stated in a media briefing that pursuit operations will continue until the remaining rebels surrender, are forcibly made to do so, or the operation concludes in another violent encounter.

Earlier, CHRA and its provincial affiliate, the Justice and Peace Alliance in Kalinga, appealed for respect for traditional practices and customs, as well as for IHL, especially those concerning combatants and casualties.

Respect IHL

The organizations expressed concern about reports they received of class suspensions, the deployment of military troops and equipment near residential areas, and disruptions to livelihoods, as the Armed Forces of the Philippines continue its offensive against communist rebels.

“The Philippine Army continued operations into more densely populated areas. As a result, classes in Allaguia, Apatan, Baay, and Limos proper were suspended, some residents were evacuated to neighboring villages, where they were restricted from going outside, especially at night,” CHRA said in a November 27 statement.

The group, citing community reports, said soldiers have positioned themselves on rice fields and stationed armored vehicles in Limos Proper, while helicopters hovered continuously over the clash site and neighboring barangays. The tense situation, they said, “has severely disrupted agricultural activities,” aggravating crop losses in villages affected by Typhoon Uwan.

Respect tribal custom

Meanwhile, JPAK called for strict adherence to bodong (peace pact) principles, which require that once a person dies or falls within a tribe’s territory, regardless of their affiliation, the host tribe must immediately carry out the necessary customs.

Daligdig, a member of the Butbut tribe, died within Limos territory, who maintain a bodong outlining responsibilities during incidents involving members of either community. Under this bodong, Limos tribesmen were expected to perform the said custom. 

These include retrieving the body, cleaning and clothing it, and delivering it to the person’s home community. This must be respected through cooperation and allowing the swift retrieval and preparation of the remains before the relatives arrive.

CHRA alleged that the military’s restriction on movement prevented the villagers from immediately retrieving Daligdig’s remains, which had fallen into a creek and were submerged in water, “constituting a violation of custom and tribal law.”

Both organizations urged the government to pursue peace negotiations and address the root causes of the armed conflict. They stated that unless these fundamental issues are resolved, many will continue to choose to take arms.#nordis.net