Respect human rights, WV soldiers told
Soldiers in Western Visayas were reminded by Major Gen. Arturo Ortiz, commanding general of the Philippine Army, to adhere to human rights principles during his recent visit to the region.
Just because the “enemies of the state” are violating human rights, it doesn’t mean that soldiers will resort to doing the same, he told troopers under the 3rd Infantry Division.
Instead, Ortiz said soldiers should imbibe in them military discipline by respecting everyone’s human rights, including members of the New People’s Army.
During his visit, Ortiz looked into the readiness of all Army units in Western Visayas.
Among those he visited are the headquarters of the 3rd ID in Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz; 301st Infantry Brigade in Camp Hernandez in Dingle, Iloilo; 302nd IB in Camp Leon Kilat, Tanjay City, Negros Oriental; 303rd IB in Camp Maj. Nelson L. Gerona in Murcia, Negros Occidental; 1st Scout Ranger Battalion in Brgy. La Granja, Negros Oriental; and the 62nd Infantry Battalion in Brgy. Bato, Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
He also inspected the CAFGU Active Auxiliary station in Brgy. Bug-Ang, Toboso, Negros Occidental which was earlier overran by the NPA rebels.
The communist rebels killed detachment commander Staff Sgt. Efraim Bagonoc and wounded two CAFGU members during the attack.
Ortiz also assured the Western Visayas soldiers of administrative and logistical support and urged them to step up their operational tempo and hasten the defeat of the rebels.
He said 3rd ID commanders should also cooperatively engage with local government units in their peace and development initiatives.*