Karapatan reacts to the indignation rally
The militant group Karapatan expressed dismay to the alleged obliteration moves conducted by the military to destroy them. This was the reaction of Fred Caña, Secretary General of Karapatan, upon learning the indignation rally that took place in Guihulngan City last Saturday.
Caña was interviewed by DYEM Energy FM Dumaguete Tonight at the Guihulngan City Public Market during the indignation rally. According to Caña, Karapatan is a legitimate Human Rights Organization and is recognized by the international community including the local officials of Guihulngan. He admitted that Karapatan entered Barangays Linantuyan and Trinidad in order to document and the alleged human rights abuses done by the military against the civilians.
Caña also reacted with the statement disclosed by Guihulngan City Mayor Ernesto Reyes that the military and Karapatan are competing to win barangays Linantuyan and Trinidad.
The military has identified the two barangays as the former mass bases and have shadow governments of the New People’s Army. However, the military disclosed that the two barangays were already clear from NPA involvement after its barangay officials and residents were convinced to return to the bosom of the government and cooperate with them.
According to Fred Caña he does not know the interest of the military to the two barangays but for the part of Karapatan, they only investigated the alleged human rights abuses to the said areas. Caña disclosed that it is their obligation to conduct an investigation regarding the matter after Lourdes Baloy of Kaugmaon and another civilian reported cases of harassments.
When Caña was asked why they did not conduct an investigation regarding the alleged NPA atrocities, he answered that it is no longer within their scope of responsibility but if anybody reports a complaint then they would be ready to investigate. Caña added that they were able to understand that the “Agents of State” were the ones who committed human rights abuses.
He further said that their legal counsels are now studying the possible charges that they could file against the military for destroying his name and the name of their organization.
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Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:51 pm