This was the response of Bello, who is also,labor secretary, to the list of alleged violations of the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement,on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) human rights group Karapatan submitted prior to the opening of the 3rd round of peace talks,here in Rome, Italy.
As far as the GRP chief negotiator is,concerned, there have been no acts committed by the president that would constitute violation of CARHRIHL, which,supplemental guidelines were signed Saturday, January 21. “The track record,of President Duterte will speak for itself. He has always upheld the rights of political dissenters and,respected their human rights,” Bello said in defending the president.
“Some may find his approach in,addressing peace and order issues in the country unconventional but he has always maintained high respect,for political dissent,” Bello added. Nevertheless, Bello assured that the government,will look into, and if warranted, investigate the cases submitted by the National Democratic Front,and allied rights organizations.
He said that the signing of the supplemental,agreement put into motion the operationalization of the joint monitoring committee (JMC). Bello,however said the government also submitted acts committed by rebel forces that violated,some provisions of CARHRIHL, among them the torching of buses and heavy equipments by,New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.
All these allegations of violations,from both sides would be addressed by the JMC will be immediately constituted by both,parties, the GRP panel said. These also underscore the need to forge a bilateral ceasefire agreement to,determine and provide mecanism to monitor and address violations.
“Hopefully, the JMC will expedite the,forging of a bilateral ceasefire agreement that will address the alleged issues of government violations,and provocative and prohibited acts of NPA rebels,” Bello explained.
The signing of the supplemental guidelines,is the first agreement signed by both parties under the Duterte government. All previous documents,signed in the August and October rounds of talks were joint statements and declarations. “In just 5 months, we have already,scored a victory for the Filipino people,” Bello declared.
The CARHR-IHL primarily encourages all victims,of violations and abuses of human rights or their surviving families due to the armed conflict to come,forward with their complaints and evidence. He is confident that at the pace the peace negotiations are,going, they may be able to sign a final peace agreement within the year to allow the Dutere,government time to implement a comprehensive peace agreement. (OPAPP)
He said that the signing of the supplemental,agreement put into motion the operationalization of the joint monitoring committee (JMC). Bello,however said the government also submitted acts committed by rebel forces that violated,some provisions of CARHRIHL, among them the torching of buses and heavy equipments by,New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.
All these allegations of violations,from both sides would be addressed by the JMC will be immediately constituted by both,parties, the GRP panel said. These also underscore the need to forge a bilateral ceasefire agreement to,determine and provide mecanism to monitor and address violations.
“Hopefully, the JMC will expedite the,forging of a bilateral ceasefire agreement that will address the alleged issues of government violations,and provocative and prohibited acts of NPA rebels,” Bello explained.
The signing of the supplemental guidelines,is the first agreement signed by both parties under the Duterte government. All previous documents,signed in the August and October rounds of talks were joint statements and declarations. “In just 5 months, we have already,scored a victory for the Filipino people,” Bello declared.
The CARHR-IHL primarily encourages all victims,of violations and abuses of human rights or their surviving families due to the armed conflict to come,forward with their complaints and evidence. He is confident that at the pace the peace negotiations are,going, they may be able to sign a final peace agreement within the year to allow the Dutere,government time to implement a comprehensive peace agreement. (OPAPP)
source: ptv
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