CHR chair says deployment of more troops to Bicol, Samar, Negros unnecessary

Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairman Jose Luis Gascon on Monday said the government has enough resources to curb violence in Visayas and Mindanao and may not need to deploy additional troops there.

“Government has every power to enforce the laws of the land without the need to enforce martial law,” Gascon said in a forum in Quezon City, reminding the administration to continue upholding human rights regardless of the security situation.

“Dapat unawain nila na may martial law man sa Mindanao o wala, o sa iba pang lugar sa Pilipinas, ay hindi po ito nagsu-suspend o nagka-cancel ng human rights guarantees,” he said.

Gascon made the remark following the issuance of Memorandum Order 32 by Malacañang upon orders from President Rodrigo Duterte last week.

MO 32 directed the deployment of additional soldiers and policemen to the provinces of Samar, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental and the Bicol region to suppress “lawless violence and acts of terror” and “prevent  such violence from spreading and escalating elsewhere in the country.”

The memorandum also reinforced the guidelines under the state of national emergency which Duterte declared in September 2016 following the deadly Davao City bombing on the ground of lawless violence.

Gascon claimed MO 32 may be Duterte’s way of extending martial law in Mindanao. “Baka nga i-extend uli. Ngayon balak po nila gumawa ng ibang hakbang na maaari ay tingnan ng iba na parang pagpapalawak pa nito sa labas ng Mindanao,” he said.

Gascon criticized Duterte on the new directive, saying the chief executive seemed to think a military rule is essential in keeping the country safe.

“This president seems to believe or think that he has more effectiveness if he pursues a track of pursuing martial law. We will continue to speak that it is not necessary,” he said. —KBK, GMA News