Belligerency status
But the NDF leader also added that the inclusion of the CPP-NPA in the list of human rights violators is a tacit recognition of the NDF’s belligerency status. “It is a recognition that the NDF has political authority and that it exercises this authority over some territories in the Philippines,” he said.
He explained that human rights violations are usually against the state. “It is actually state terrorism, but if they claim that we have committed human rights violations, let them file and we will consider,” he said.
Agcaoili further said that the NDF has already gained the status belligerency “because of its own work.”
Peace advocates meanwhile greeted the inauguration of the GRP-NDFP Joint Secretariat of the Joint Monitoring Committee office.
Norwegian Ambassador Paul Moe said the inauguration “marks another milestone in the peace process here in the Philippines.” With the formation and operationalization of the JMC joint secretariat, he said, the laws and principles of human rights and international humanitarian law will reduce the number of human rights abuses in the country.
Norway serves as third party facilitator in the GRP-NDFP peace talks and is funding the joint committee offices.
Agcaoili, on the other hand, thanked the Norwegian government for helping set up the Joint Secretariat office.
Lawyer Carlos Medina, chair of the GRP-Monitoring Committee, said the significance of the setting up of the Joint Secretariat office is that “there already is a physical base where people can go to file complaints on human rights and international humanitarian law.”
Both Medina and Agcaoili agreed that the success of the JMC is largely dependent on the support it could get from the Filipino people.
“We cannot move forward without the help of the public,” Agcaoili said during the press conference held after the Joint Secretariat office was formally inaugurated.
Most Rev. Bishop Honesto F. Tionco, DD, of the Diocese of Cubao, officiated the opening rites attended by at least 100 officials from both GRP and NDFP, human rights groups and families of victims.
Cases of human rights violations against either the GRP or NDFP are retroactive to 1998, the year the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) was forged between the two parties.
Complaints are to be received by both parties and, subject to screening, can lead to an investigation. If it warrants, the case can be pursued for adjudication by either the GRP or NDFP through its respective court system.
The JMC was operationalized last February 2004 and is tasked to monitor the implementation of CARHRIHL.
The JMC is composed of three members from the GRP and three from the NDFP. In addition are two representatives from human rights organizations each nominated by the parties who will sit in the committee as observers.
