The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday vowed to work together in advancing human rights education, training, and advocacy.
AFP Chief-of-Staff, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, and CHR chairperson Jose Luis Martin Gascon signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on their collaboration to create monitoring mechanisms and data sharing of incidents and cases of human rights violations, during a ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
“We in the AFP will always endeavor to seek the most effective ways to address the gaps, in particular on the observance of Human Rights of our organization. I am certain that by fostering close coordination, which involves a mutual exchange of knowledge on the intricacies and the proper interpretation of human rights and the best ways to promote them, there is surely much to learn from our counterparts from the CHR,” Sobejana said in a statement.
Also present in the signing ceremony were AFP Human Rights Office (HRO) chief Col. Joel Alejandro Nacnac and CHR executive director Jacqueline Anne de Guia.
“It is with deep appreciation and renewed hope that we welcome the signing of the memorandum of agreement with the AFP. Indeed, as duty bearers, we have the obligation to our citizens to uphold and protect human rights and International Humanitarian Law. This MOU will strengthen our respective institutions’ efforts in providing protection for the rights of all people in our country,” Gascon said.
Both parties shall participate in dialogues, focus group discussions, and other forms of engagements or cooperation affecting human rights issues. They will also assist each other in clearance processes.
The AFP and CHR shall be committed to the agreement and its provisions will remain in full effect for three years from the time of signing, subject to renewal and approval of the defense secretary.
“The MOU will foster increased education and training, information sharing and referral of cases, improved monitoring and reporting of incidents, and will further solidify the coordination over reports of alleged human rights violations. The cooperation between the AFP and the CHR on the latter’s clearance system will surely benefit military officers who will undergo confirmation before the Commission on Appointments,” Nacnac said.
The MOU will reinforce and complement the La Breza Declaration on Human Rights Cooperation issued by the AFP through its HRO and major service commanders in 2012, which confirmed the continuing commitment of the military to protect human rights.
Before the MOU signing, both parties have worked together in numerous activities, such as the joint conduct of human rights seminars, periodic reviews of the AFP Curriculum, and top-level policy dialogues to clarify military operations.
These activities emphasized the need to strengthen documentation, verification, and cross-validation of complaints of human rights violations.
“As we take pride in carrying our mandate as defenders of our country and people, we welcome with open arms any form of a collaborative partnership that would be beneficial in the fulfillment of the AFP’s mission of protecting the people and securing the state,” Sobejana said.
The ceremony was also witnessed by UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzales, CHR Commissioner Karen Dumpit, AFP vice chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Erickson Gloria and deputy chief-of-staff, Vice Adm. Erick Kagaoan. (PNA)
