AFP Chief Tells Soldiers to Respect Human Rights

PILI, Camarines Sur, Aug. 16 -- AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ricardo David Jr. over the weekend said respect for human rights, internal security operation, capability building and soldiers' welfare are among the policy thrusts the Armed Forces of the Philippines would be doing under his watch.

David said these policies that the AFP is expected to carry out is in line with President Benigno Aquino's directive to maintain peace in the country, justice for all and good governance.

David arrived here over the weekend and had a command conference and dialogue with soldiers of the 9th Philippine Army Infantry Division at Camp Elias Angeles here.

He told his men that while the AFP is continuously intensifying its internal security operation against the communist movement, respect for human rights should always prevail.

"Our pursuit to fill-up our combat scoreboard should be done not at the expense of civilians -- let us ensure that minimum collateral damage occurs in every engagement," he said.

David warned his men that the he will not tolerate abuses committed by members of the AFP as he reiterated to strictly follow the AFP's rules of engagement and respect for human rights.

While the AFP is winning the war against terrorism, the AFP is in the process of making a comprehensive review of the military's internal security operation (ISO) to further improve its performance.

David commended the 9th ID for an outstanding work in dismantling several communist guerrilla fronts in many parts of the region.

Maj. Gen. Ruperto Pabustan at the command conference told the AFP Chief of Staff that the ISO operation in Bikol has gained grounds dismantling several NPA Guerrilla fronts, camps, safehouses in the provinces of Catanduanes, Sorsogon and Camarines Sur.

Pabustan said that during the May national election, they played a pivotal role in the creation of Task Force Masbate (TFM) wherein they were able to dismantle four private armed groups operating in the island province of Masbate.

The Philippine Army in Bikol was able to seize from NPA rebels during engagements a total of 68 high and low firearms of various types, including improvised land mines and subversive documents.

David said he has lined-up priority programs that would build the soldiers' morale and welfare which include the fast processing of retired soldiers benefits, the immediate issuance of financial benefits to combat casualties, combat incentive pay, health benefits, improvement of military's training institutions.

As for the soldiers' pay, David emphasized that he will strictly pursue the directive against the using of soldiers' Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards as collateral in getting a soldier's salary in advance.

"We will not allow loan sharks to enjoy the practice of using soldiers' ATM as collateral that yields high interest rates on the loan. Soldiers found out loaning their ATMs would be severely dealt with administratively," said David. (PNA)