CHR: Int'l Humanitarian Law strictly prohibits 'death squads'

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has issued a warning against President Rodrigo Duterte's plan to create his own Sparrow unit to crush the New People’s Army's (NPA) assassination squad.

In a statement on Wednesday, CHR chairperson Chito Gascon cited the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) which "requires States to use only regular armed forces under strict military discipline."

"Thus, this strictly prohibits death squads under all circumstances," he said.

Gascon issued the statement after the President said he "will match the talent" of NPA’s Special Partisan Unit, popularly called sparrow units targeting authorities and government officials, "for assassinating people."

According to the CHR chief, the State "always has a duty to protect its citizens from all forms of harm including lawless violence and terrorist acts."

This duty, Gascon said, "must at all times be undertaken in accordance with established rules of engagement, due process and rule of law guarantees; and International Humanitarian Law principles."

The CHR was not alone in expressing concern over Duterte's announcement that he would create a "death squad"  targeting suspected communist rebels.

A human rights groups had warned that it would worsen the "calamity" triggered by the President's deadly drug war, whereas progressive lawmakers said it only encourages civilians to kill their fellow civilians. — BAP, GMA News