AFP CHIEF EMPHASIZED RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DURING PA VISIT
AFP Chief of Staff Lt Gen Ricardo A David emphasized adherence to human
rights during his visit at the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort
Bonifacio, Metro Manila yesterday.
Speaking before key officers and enlisted personnel of the Philippine
Army, the AFP chief exhorted Army soldiers to carry out tasks with
utmost respect to human rights. He pushed for the strict observance of
the military's Rules of Engagement and to avoid collateral damage in
every operations of the Philippine Army. He also encouraged soldiers to
treat civilians well, thereby cultivating a good relationship with them.
In line with this, the AFP has introduced institutional changes and
reiterated certain policies to enhance and strengthen its posture in
addressing human rights concerns, the most recent of which is the
distribution of a "Soldier’s Handbook on Human Rights" to officers
directly involved in anti-insurgency operations. Other efforts
undertaken by the AFP is the creation of Human Rights Office which is
tasked to manage and implement the affairs of the AFP concerning human
rights program, policies and activities; incorporation of human rights
modules in the curricula of all military courses to stress its
importance; and continuous conduct of crash courses on para-legal up to
battalion level to enhance awareness and sensitivity of its personnel to
human rights.
The Philippine Army, for its part, maintains a Human Rights Desk under
the Discipline, Law and Order Branch of the Office of the Assistant
Chief of Staff for Personnel, G1, Philippine Army. Its primary task is
to conduct lectures/symposium on human rights and to formulate policies
to better address human rights issues concerning the Army.
Furthermore, in order to continually inculcate among the soldiers the
essence of Respect for Human Rights through human rights education, the
Philippine Army has incorporated in all its trainings and values
education a program on human rights (International Humanitarian Law and
Rules of Engagement).
Meanwhile, in his guidance to Army personnel, Lt Gen David directed the
Philippine Army to continue and further boost its peace and development
initiatives in partnership with Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and
civil society. This will translate to a strong partnership with the
people by sowing the seeds of peace through the different
nation-building activities.
He ordered for quality training among soldiers as he reiterated his
commitment to put the best people in the military's training
institutions. This will likely result to a more equipped and
well-trained Army that would be more responsive to the needs of the
people. He also discouraged any form of hazing in military trainings.
The AFP chief also expressed optimism that Congress will pass a new
modernization act that will support the capability upgrade efforts of
the AFP.
Lt Gen David also put emphasis on enhancing the physical well-being of
soldiers by doing away with alternative physical fitness. He likewise
exhorted Army personnel to always be guided by the principle of command
responsibility.
Lastly, the AFP chief urged Army soldiers to exemplify honesty and
sincerity in the performance of their duties. #
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