The tragic killing of an entire family in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental on June 14, allegedly by military personnel, serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing human rights violations in conflict-affected areas during the Marcos administration. Despite the President’s previous claims of shifting away from the old anti-insurgency approach and transforming soldiers into peacemakers, this incident highlights the failure to uphold these ideals.
President Marcos, in his speech before the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 9th Infantry Division earlier this year, urged the military to become peacemakers and adapt a new approach towards communist and terrorist groups. However, it appears that his words have been disregarded, as evidenced by the brutal murders of Rolly Fausto, his wife Emilda, and their two children by unidentified assailants in Himamaylan.
The Commission on Human Rights has strongly condemned these killings and has initiated an investigation into the incident, as there are conflicting claims regarding the involvement of both communist rebels and the Philippine Army. The Fausto couple had previously reported harassment and Red-tagging from military authorities, making them potential suspects in their own tragic deaths.
Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzalez, speaking on behalf of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in Western Visayas, insists that Rolly was targeted by communist rebels due to his alleged involvement as a military asset. However, the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) has accused the 94th Infantry Brigade (IB) of being responsible for similar killings in the region.
While the reasoning behind these killings may seem absurd, it is undeniable that they are part of a disturbing pattern fueled by Red-tagging. This state-sanctioned witch hunt violates people’s freedom of association and has led to the unlawful arrest, detention, harassment, ambush, and killing of individuals suspected of supporting dissidents. It raises the question of whether this is the new approach to deal with the insurgency problem that the President had in mind.
In light of these events, it is understandable that the Alliance of Concerned Teachers protested a Department of Education memo that sought to identify members of their group for payroll deduction and allegedly ease the collection of membership dues and loans. Additionally, Education Secretary Sara Duterte reportedly obtained a significant amount of confidential intelligence funds to monitor the recruitment activities of campus activists. These punitive measures against opposing views are hardly reassuring.
The President’s downplaying of internal problems and emphasis on “external threats” and maritime defense have raised pertinent questions about the administration’s conflicting policy on the long-standing insurgency. While the President expresses a willingness to pursue a more open approach towards communist rebels, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro maintains a hardline stance against peace talks with them. The lack of clarity on this issue further adds to the confusion.
In order to establish a true “peacemaker” approach, the government must make a clear and unequivocal statement about its stance on the killings, arrests, disappearances, and other human rights violations against critics and dissidents. Holding government forces accountable for their actions is imperative.
Repealing the 2017 Memorandum Order No. 32, which has effectively put Negros province under virtual martial law, would also be a step towards promoting peace and ending the culture of impunity. Additionally, a review of the 2020 anti-terrorism law, which has been criticized for its potential human rights violations, will demonstrate the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and respecting human rights.
It is essential for the country’s leadership to address these issues and present a clear and coherent policy on how it intends to deal with the insurgency problem and protect the rights of its citizens. Only then can the Philippines truly be seen as a law-abiding, rights-respecting, and investment-grade democracy.
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