Another child’s rights group, the Children Rehabilitation Center (CRC), also documented 800 incidents of human rights violations in the country between 2001 to 2006, affecting 215,233 children.
Of this total number, 58 were killed, 58 survived attempts of their lives, 40 were maimed, 17 were tortured and humiliated, 10 forcibly disappeared, five were sexually harassed, three were raped and 215,060 were forced to evacuate, among others.
These figures were included in the Ibon Foundation book “Uncounted Lives: A needs assessment of children and women affected by armed conflict in Mindanao,” which documented the experiences of residents of eight communities in the country, believed to be influenced by the NPA or by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Included in these documented cases were those that happened in the villages in Mapating town in Compostela Valley.
CHILDREN NEED TO PLAY. Gary and one of Grecil’s sisters play a form of jacks as they take a break from relieving their saddest day. (davaotoday.com photo by CJ Kuizon)
Kabiba fears that increased deployment of soldiers in the region by the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army based in Camp Panacan will drive up the number of child victims of human rights violations.
Despite the documents implicating the soldiers, no member of the military has yet been charged or suspended.
Instead, Major General Carlos Holganza, the commanding officer of the 1001st infantry brigade, has been promoted. He was the commanding officer of the 67th IB involved in Grecil’s shooting. Now, he is the new commander of the AFP’s 6,000-strong 10th ID based in Camp Apolinario, Panacan, Davao City.
Gabawa, who earlier claimed they shot Grecil because the girl “aimed an armalite at them,” was promoted from second lieutenant to first lieutenant less than a year after Gracil was shot.
Despite the military’s conflicting statements, the regional office of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) cleared Gabawa and the Philippine Army of all charges regarding Grecil’s death. In a resolution signed by CHR regional director Alberto Sipaco, Jr. said the case was dismissed because of “lack of merit.”
He cited the absence of supporting legal argument or factual basis for Grecil’s family’s belief that members of the Philippine Army shot her.
Setting aside findings of their regional office, the national office of the CHR blamed both the AFP and the NPA for Grecil’s death. The family was granted 10,000 pesos in financial assistance.
Lindy Trenilla, Kabiba administrative officer, admits that, even before Grecil’s case, they have found it difficult to trust the merit of CHR investigations. Resolutions were vague and failed to present convincing evidence that would put perpetrators to task. She said that, for one, the CHR investigators move very slowly. “They do not seem to understand the value of urgency.”
