Tag: counter-insurgency

Statements

On the Deadly Raids in Calabarzon

When the Commander-in-Chief barks out an order, the commanders of the troops must dish out clear guidelines on how to carry out such anti-insurgency operations to make sure that they target only the armed combatants.

It goes without saying that the only legal justification to kill an adversary is in defense of oneself or another person.

That said, it may not be proper to make premature conclusions and claims about the Calabarzon raids at this time, lest they affect the conduct of official investigations by the appropriate agencies.

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Statements

On Recent Statements by Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr.
Image: CTTO

Lt. Gen. Parlade strikes me as one AFP officer who is dedicated to the accomplishment of his mission to end the half-century-old insurgency problem.

That being said, his only fault is that he over-analyzes and over-talks, with some of his public statements threatening to affect his mission.

Under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, only the court can proscribe a group like the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization. On the other hand, the purpose of surveillance work is defeated when the subject becomes aware that he is being tailed.

Maybe a little prudence and self-discipline on Lt. Gen. Parlade’s part will help.

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Statements

Lacson: Why Not Grant Amnesty to Cops, Soldiers in Counter-Insurgency Ops?

If the government can grant amnesty to political prisoners as part of goodwill efforts for peace talks with communist rebels, why not extend this to policemen and soldiers involved in anti-insurgency operations as well?

Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson raised this question at a budget hearing Tuesday, where Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, the chief government peace negotiator with communist rebels, was in attendance.

“Since there is a program for the grant of amnesty to political prisoners, perhaps we can include policemen and soldiers facing charges on account of participation in counterinsurgency operations,” Lacson said.  Continue reading “Lacson: Why Not Grant Amnesty to Cops, Soldiers in Counter-Insurgency Ops?” →