International group scores CHR on Lumad issue

MANILA. The Philippines chapter of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS-Phils) lambasted the chair of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) for his report that both the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) are recruiting the Lumad and are both responsible for human rights violations.

“The sophomoric CHR Chair Chito Gascon is using the rights body for his moronic view of the armed conflict in the country reflecting Pres. Aquino’s own. If they really wanted to stop the killings and the violence, they should address the roots of the conflict, including the massive land grabs, displacement of indigenous peoples, large-scale mining operations, plunder of resources, and utter disregard of the people’s sovereign and democratic rights” the ILPS-Phils said.

The NPA under the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) is waging one of the longest running revolutionary struggles in the world due to worsening poverty and injustice.

The AFP is the prime implementer of the US-designed counter-insurgency operations which several United Nations and other governmental agencies have recognized as the chief perpetrator of rights violations and impunity in the country.

The recent International Peoples’ Tribunal (IPST 2015) held in Washington, DC found the Obama and Aquino government as guilty of crimes against the Filipino people.

“Downplaying the state force’s criminal liability and obfuscating the facts cannot fool the international community with Gascon’s chicanery,” the ILPS-Phils said.

“Blaming the NPA for rights violations is like planting bullets to use as evidence against passengers at the international airport. The extortionists, robbers, plunderers including Pres. Aquino’s relatives go free,” it added.

The ILPS will be holding its 5th international assembly in Manila days before world leaders meet for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

The international group will also hold an International Festival of Peoples Resistance and Struggle (IFPRS) to show global solidarity and support for the Lumad and other struggles.