But military insists they deserve medals

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) - Activists assailed the move by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to grant medals to two military officers who were involved in the allegedly illegal arrests of 43 people in Morong, Rizal last February 6.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. said the "citations send the wrong message that human rights abuses committed in the name of counter-insurgency will be rewarded under the Arroyo government."

"This simply reinforces the climate of impunity that has resulted in numerous abuses in the recent past," he added.

Reyes said complaints will be filed before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) this week against the arrests of the 43 people, alleged by the activists as health workers engaged in a medical training program when they were arrested.

The military, on the other hand, claimed they were members of the Communist New People's Army (NPA) involved in a bomb-making exercise.

Reyes said they intend to block promotions for Philippine Army 202nd Brigade commander Col. Aurelio Baladad, and 16th Infantry Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Jaime Abauag, who led the alleged illegal search and arrests.

'NPA activities curtailed'

Meantime, a military spokesman on Tuesday reiterated that the 2 Army officers rewarded by the AFP deserved their medals.

"Well, we believe that they deserve the award... Now that they are arrested (the so-called Morong 43), the NPA is not able to launch their plans for the next few months, until June 2010, specifically in areas in Central Luzon and Southern Luzon," military spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner told ANC's Dateline Philippines.

The military spokesman said they expected criticisms regarding the medals, but insisted that the arrest of the Morong 43 was a big blow against the Communist rebels.

Although the 43 suspects may only have to face raps for illegal possession of firearms and explosives, he insisted that the military has proof that all those arrested at a farm house in Morong, Rizal last February 6 were medical workers of the NPA.

"We have the necessary documents to prove that they are members of the NPA... They have lost most of their medical staff," he said, adding that majority of those arrested were usually deployed to various guerrilla platoons in central and southern Luzon provinces.

He added that even if the criminal charges are dismissed, the military would always consider the arrested health workers as supporters of the Communist movement.

Bronze Cross Medals

Bronze Cross Medals were conferred on Baladad and Abauag on Tuesday at the Southern Luzon Command headquarters in Lucena City.

The Bronze Cross Medal is the fourth highest award given by the AFP, and it is given to military officers and men whose performance or acts of heroism involve risk of life under conditions other than those of conflict with the enemy.

The medal is a cross in gold, with two tendrils of green laurel leaves tied at the center base as a wreath. The word “bravery” is engraved on the cross, a symbol of risk of life and sacrifice.

Brawner said the operation against the Morong 43 contributed greatly to the order by President Arroyo to the AFP to defeat the Communist rebels before her term ends on June 30.

“We have to recognize this feat because we are serious in our mission of defeating the Communist insurgency by June 2010. When we say defeating, it doesn’t mean necessarily wiping them out but bringing down to a level where they are insignificant, that they become not a national issue anymore,” Brawner said on Monday.

The military said some of the arrested people allegedly have warrants of arrest for murder, multiple murder, arson, robbery in band, destruction of property and other crimes.  Some of them were involved in raids and ambuscades in Rizal.

Allegedly seized by the military during the raid were several firearms, including a .45 pistol, a .38 revolver, 3 grenades, a 10x12 improvised land mine, two pieces of improvised Claymore land mines, two kilograms of ammonium nitrate, 7 blasting caps, 36 pieces of improvised dynamite sticks, cellular phones, and backpacks.

“Rewarding impunity”

An activist group of health professionals and workers also condemned the move of the military to confer the awards on the 2 Army officers.

The Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) said on Monday that the move showed the “intransigence” and “arrogance of the military, especially with regards to human rights violations.

“Rewarding human rights violators is not only insulting to the victims and their families but also an affront to basic decency in a country that is supposedly a democracy,” said Dr. Darby Santiago, HEAD chairperson.

The activist group again reiterated its position that the February 6 raid was illegal, and condemned the treatment of the 43 who were arrested in “flagrant disregard of due process and basic human rights.”

“Are these the alleged feats that the AFP now honors?” decried Dr. Santiago.

The Court of Appeals, in compliance with the writ of habeas corpus issued by the Supreme Court, is expected to issue its resolution on the charges of illegal arrest and detention filed by relatives of “Morong 43” and activist groups.