GRP MC supports PNP's undertakings on indigenous peoples

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines Monitoring Committee (GRP MC) has committed to support the Philippine National Police in its undertakings on indigenous peoples (IPs).

PSSUPT Lina C. Sarmiento, Chief, HRAO, said this was relayed to her by GRP MC Chairperson Atty. Sedfrey Candelaria during the Committee’s roundtable discussion on the rights of indigenous peoples during armed conflict held on February 21, 2008 at the Ateneo Professional Schools, Rockwell Drive, Makati City.  Representatives of concerned government agencies and NGOs attended the discussion.

The discussion was convened to formally present the findings of a study undertaken by the Committee in 2005 regarding the violations of rights of IPs during armed conflict and to gather the views and reactions of representatives of concerned government agencies and civil society groups on the findings and recommendations of the research.

The study focused on the Mangyans of Occidental Mindoro, the Tinggians of Abra, and the Manobos of Carmen, North Cotabato.  The study found that there was widespread violation of human rights and international humanitarian law as a result of armed conflicts in areas occupied by these indigenous peoples.

These violations include, among others, forced recruitment of minors, sexual abuse, disrespect of  IP laws, limited movement due to encounters,  misuse of language and practices, suspected association, displacement, loss of property and livelihood, forced sale of property and indiscriminate attack.

Reacting to the findings, PSSUPT Sarmiento said the PNP recognizes and respects the customs and traditions of the IPs in resolving conflicts.  She, however, admitted that further educating and sensitizing PNP personnel on IP’s culture would improve the quality of policing in IP areas.

She added that the PNP, in its avowed intention of promoting and advancing the cause of human rights, has already implemented the PNP Human Rights Development Program which serves as the blueprint for action on human rights that the agency aims to accomplish to ensure the protection of the citizenry.

The study recommended the following:

• The PNP and AFP should come up with policies and procedures which specifically apply to IPs in armed conflict areas;
• Police military and other concerned government personnel should be educated on the culture of the IPs, particularly in their areas of operation.  They must become culturally sensitive; and
• Education on human rights and international humanitarian law principles should be enhanced for IPs, police and military.

PSSUPT Sarmiento said that as part of the capability building component of the PNP Human Rights Development Program, they have started to conduct special training programs on Human Rights and International Human Rights Laws, including those covering indigenous peoples, and other human rights components for PNP personnel.