Military


Helping Hands. Members of the Philippine and US navies load food and supplies onto a truck for delivery to a Mindanao orphanage. The donation by the US military was part of the 13th annual bilateral maritime training exercise called Carat (Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training) that began last week in Zamboanga and Basilan. (Photo courtesy of the US Navy/US Embassy)

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Gov’t, MILF urged: Extend life of ceasefire body

Without the intervention by the AHJAG -- which investigates incidents of violence or disturbance that, on many occasions in the past, complicated the negotiations -- elements from the military and the MILF could easily engage in confrontation, given the often unknown or unclear origins of violent conflicts, particularly in the MILF areas in Central Mindanao. Criminal syndicates operate in that area and their activities have often been blamed on the MILF, thus complicating the peace process and the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.

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CHR clears military in Grecil’s death

In a May 21 decision, the Commission on Human Rights in Southern Mindanao said Grecil Buya was killed in a legitimate crossfire between soldiers and rebels, and that there was no evidence that the soldiers violated the rights of Grecil. It also said that there was no evidence to suggest that she was a communist guerrilla, as earlier alleged by the military.

Grecil Buya's parents had sued the soldiers before the CHR, alleging that the troops summarily executed the girl. (Photo courtesy of MindaNews)

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Abducted Philippines pastor defends himself, says he was tortured

Below is a statement released by Pastor Berlin Guerrero, the UCCP priest abducted by government agents last week:

What does it take a government to have the nerve to abduct, torture, and terrorize my family on the basis of an old inciting to sedition case and a baseless murder charge?

Far more absurd is the accusation that I am the Secretary of the CPP Provincial committee in Cavite. This lie that they tried to extract from me by means of physical, mental and psychological torture and projecting me in public as a ?hand-gun and grenade carrying rebel.?

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SC dismisses rebellion raps vs Batasan 6

The Philippine Supreme Court today dismissed the rebellion cases against six leftist congressmen known as the "Batasan 6," among them Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran who has been detained in the past 15 months. "We are vindicated. This is a triumph of truth and justice over the Arroyo government's invented and unfair charge against duly elected people's representatives," Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo said.

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