The Philippines Violations of the Laws of War by Both Sides Contents I. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................1 Political Background ..................................................................................................2 II. APPLICATION OF PROTOCOL II AND COMMON ARTICLE THREE TO THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS TO THE CONFLICT IN THE PHILIPPIN The Applicability of Human Rights Laws ........................................................8 The Philippines: A Non-international Armed conflict.............................9 The Application of Article 3....................................................................................11 When Protocol II can be applied........................................................................14 Customary International Law Applicable to Internal Armed Conflicts.........................................................................................................15 Protection of the Civilian and Other Population under the Rules of War........................................................................................16 Designation of Military Objectives: CAFGU, Police, Vigilantes, U.S. Servicemen................................................................18 Legitimate Military Targets...................................................................................21 Prohibited Acts............................................................................................................22 Protection of Civilians from Displacement for Reasons Related to the Conflict..........................................................................24 Prohibition of Indiscriminate Attacks Affecting Civilians and ............ Civilian Objects; the Principle of Proportio Prohibition of Perfidy................................................................................................27 Due Process Requirements.................................................................................28 Requirement of an Independent and Impartial Tribunal...................30 Means of Defense.......................................................................................................34 Death Penalty................................................................................................................35 III. THE MILITARY, PARAMILITARY GROUPS AND ................... COUNTERINSURGENCY 37 The Central Role of the Philippines Constabulary..................................37 The Philippines Constabulary and Paramilitary Forces.....................40 Vigilantes........................................................................................................................44 Recent CAFGU Violations.........................................................................................47 Private Armies..............................................................................................................49 Counterinsurgency Strategy of the Military..............................................50 The "Clear" Phase........................................................................................................51 "Clearing" and Human Rights Violations.....................................................52 The "Hold" Phase: CAFGUs and CVO.................................................................55 Consolidation and Development......................................................................56 IV. THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES AND NEW ...........PEOPLE'S ARMY 57 Origins of the CPP/NPA.............................................................................................57 Organization of the New People's Army.........................................................59 Methods of Operation...............................................................................................61 NPA Violations of the Rules of War...................................................................62 The Sparrows................................................................................................................64 NPA Assassination Targets...................................................................................65 Spies and Informers.................................................................................................66 Infiltrators or "Deep Penetration Agents"....................................................67 Killing Policemen and Others for Weapons...............................................68 Political Murders.........................................................................................................70 Crimes not Connected with the Conflict.......................................................70 Taking of Hostages..................................................................................................... 71 Lack of Due Process...................................................................................................72 Indiscriminate Attacks: Digos Massacre ....................................................76 Violations of the Rules of War ............................................................................83 Indiscriminate Attacks on Civilians and the Rule of Proportionality 83 The Government's Double Standard...............................................................85 War Taxes........................................................................................................................86 V. NEGROS OCCIDENTAL...............................................................................................................89 Background...................................................................................................................89 Vigilantes in Negros ..................................................................................................91 Execution of the Family of Francisco Canete, sitio Ga-as, barangay San Rafael, Hinoba-an, on June 10, 1989...............................................................95 Execution of Felix Lariosa and barangay Councillor Trinidad Acosta, in sitio Bogainbilla, barangay Talacagay, Hinoba-an, April 17 and 18, 1989 ......................................................95 Execution of Freddy Grande in sitio Bogainbilla, barangay Talacagay, Hinoba-an, on May 4, 1989..................96 Execution of Ernesto Gonzalez in sitio Kalapayan, barangay San Rafael, Hinoba-an, on April 2, 1989.................97 Execution of Romeo Roberito, sitio Sa-an, barangay Talacagay, Hinoba-an, on April 18, 1989 ..............................................................98 Massive Forced Displacement and Operation Thunderbolt ............98 Operation Thunderbolt.........................................................................99 Warning to the Civilians....................................................................100 The Evacuation Centers......................................................................101 Political Killings in the Evacuated Areas.................................102 Arrests and Torture at the Evacuation Centers ...................103 The Evacuees Return...........................................................................104 Military Patrols and Threats by the barangay captain of...... Manlocahoc 105 Killings by the NPA.................................................................................106 VI. ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE......................................................................................................109 Strategic Hamletting: Dumogok, Siayan....................................................109 Background to the Hamletting.......................................................110 The "Live-In" at Dumogok................................................................... 111 Restrictions on Freedom of Movement.....................................112 Torture...........................................................................................................113 Inadequate Provisions for Health Care.....................................113 The NPA, CAFGU and the Military.....................................................114 CAFGU and Military Abuses in Zamboanga del Norte...........................115 A Beheading in Murop, Bacungan.................................................115 A Beheading in Lower Dinuan, Salug.......................................... 116 Harassment by Special CAFGUs, Sirawai................................. 116 Mutilation in Litab, Roxas by Surrenderee ..............................117 Death Threat in Salug...........................................................................117 NPA Abuses....................................................................................................................117 Dumogok......................................................................................................117 Charismatics.............................................................................................118 Killings in Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte................................... 119 VII. KALINGA-APAYAO...................................................................................................................121 Background..................................................................................................................121 Bloodfeud or Ideological Battle?................................................122 Abuses by the CPLA..................................................................................................124