Aquino names AFP human rights officer

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III has approved the designation of Army Colonel Domingo Tutaan, head of the Army’s 1003rd Infantry Brigade based in the Davao provinces, as chief human rights officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“There is already an order to the brigade commander that he has been designated as human rights officer of the AFP and this has been approved by the President,” Brigadier General Jose Mabanta Jr., AFP spokesperson, said on Monday.

AFP Chief of Staff General Ricardo David Jr. has expanded the powers of the AFP Human Rights Office (HRO) in line with his emphasis on respect for human rights and departure from the military’s reputation for political killings and abuses under the Arroyo administration.


(2010-11-30/newsinfo.inquirer.net)