Army reaffirms commitment to human rights

MANILA, Philippines - The Army on Monday renewed its commitment to uphold human rights in all its operations amid cases of enforced disappearances attributed to soldiers.

Soldiers recited a human rights pledge during simultaneous flag ceremonies in all military camps in observance of Human Rights Consciousness Week.

Col. Perfecto Rimando Jr., chief of the Army Human Rights Office, led the recital of pledge at the Army’s main headquarters in Fort Bonifacio.

The renewal of commitment to human rights came amid persistent allegations that soldiers are behind enforced disappearances and deaths of people who are critical of the government.

Among the human rights violations being blamed on soldiers is the disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos, who was allegedly kidnapped by armed men in Quezon City in 2007.

Burgos was reportedly dragged to a Toyota Revo van whose license plates were traced to another vehicle earlier impounded by the military in Bulacan.

(2013-12-03/philstar)