Iloilo City – In furtherance of its commitment to uphold the rule of law and advocate human rights, Army Human Rights Officers from all over Western Visayas attended  a lecture dubbed as “Human Rights Legal Mechanism: The Writ of Amparo” from a Bayan Muna solon at Rada Hall, University of San Agustin here Monday.

The “Writ of Amparo” was discussed by Representative Neri Colmenares of the  Bayan Muna Party List, who is also a human rights lawyer and president of the National Union of People’s Lawyer, to the Executive Officers/Deputy Commanders of the 301st and 303rd Brigades; the 62nd, 47th, 12th, 82nd, 61st, and the Civil-Military Operation Battalions.

During the presentation, Colmenares said that the “Writ of Amparo” is the government's response from a context of impunity that according to him is happening in the country, where it (writ of amparo) basically aimed to give justice to victims.

“Impunity is when people commit crime and get away with it,” added Colmenares.

The discussion on this particular topic is part of the Jose “Ka Pepe” Diokno Memorial Lecture Series conducted all over the country by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in connection with its 25th Anniversary.

“We are indeed very fortunate to be part of this lecture series and be enlightened by the wisdom of Congressman Colmenares who is also a stalwart human rights defender and advocate like your Army today,” said Major General Jose Mabanta Jr, Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division Commander.

“We are in full support to the CHR Region 6 under the stewardship of Atty David Bermudo for initiating various peace forums and activities in this region. It will definitely give us a vibrant environment to peacefully co-exist and have an open space for more fruitful discussions for the promotion of peace among human rights advocate groups,” added Mabanta.

Since the implementation of Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan,”  the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the Army, has been very active in participating in various peace forums all over the country.

Last October 2011, a dialogue with progressive militant organizations, that include Bayan and Karapatan-Panay among others, was conducted at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol hosted by Governor Arthur Defensor Sr of Iloilo.

It was initiated by then Commander of the 3ID and the current Commanding General of the Army Lt General Emmanuel Bautista to give assurance to the militants that the Army supports their rights to peacefully assemble to air their grievances against the government.

On May this year, 3ID also participated in a one-day community-based dialogue session on HR promotion and protection spearheaded by the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany, in partnership with the Alternative Law Group, Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation and CHR at Grand Hotel here.

For Colonel Jon Aying, Deputy Brigade Commander and Human Rights Officer of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade reported that for the past one and a half year, no human rights violation has been committed in Negros by the Army.

That report is based on the record and the pronouncement of CHR-Negros published earlier.

Also in attendance were Police investigators from Police Regional Office 6 led by Police Senior Inspector (Atty) Dennis Gabihan, Law Students, and Civil Society Organizations.

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