LAGAWE, Ifugao – The Cordillera is one of the most heavily militarized regions in the country with human rights abuses committed by army men with impunity.
This was one of the findings of the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance during its 3rd regional congress here July 28-29, 2011 the theme, “Strengthen and broaden our ranks for the defense and assertion of human rights.”
The congress also highlighted challenges the alliance confronted against “state fascism” and human rights violations for four and a half years under OplanBantayLaya I and II, a military anti-insurgency program.
The assembly was attended by more than a hundred delegates from the six provinces of the Cordillera Region along with dozens of observers from Nueva Vizcaya, the Ilocos provinces and Cagayan.
Rep. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. of Ifugao in a solidarity message said, “As your representative in Congress, it is my duty to support your campaign with an environment conducive to gaining more advocates.
Different people’s organizations and institutions like the Cordillera People’s Alliance, MakabayangKoalisyonngMamamayan, National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), United Church of Canada and the Beaconsfield United Church commended the CHRA for their unwavering campaigns to end human rights violations.
Makabayan president SaturOcampo in his statement said,“Sumasaludo kami sa inyong pangunguna sa paglalantad, pagtutol, at relatibong pagbigo sa OBL sa inyong rehiyon. Inaasahan naibubungang inyongIkatlong Kongreso ang higit pang malakas, malawak at masinsing organisasyonng mga tagapagtanggol at tagapaggiit ng karapatang panta. (We salute you in taking the lead in exposing, opposing and thwarting OplanBantayLaya in your region. We expect that your 3rd Congress will result to a stronger, broader, and a more systematic organization of human rights defenders.)”
From reports submitted during the Congress, the region remains to be militarized and people’s organizations critical of government policies continue to be persecuted.
Various forms of human rights violations are reporteddly still being committed and justice remains elusive for the victims of human rights violations.
During the Congress, lawyer Reynaldo Cortes and Jude Baggo were elected unanimously as chairperson and secretary-general, respectively.
Cortes, a staunch human rights lawyer even during martial law was awarded by the CHRA as recognition of his enduring support for the defense of human rights in the region.
The assembly also installed a new set of executive committee and regional council composed of representatives from various provinces and sectors in the region.
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