The head of the Visayas Command (Viscom) has commended the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) for hosting a caravan that exposed soldiers to a balanced approach to performing combat operations under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
Lt. General Fernando Reyeg, commander of Viscom, said the ATC’s successful holding of the information drive reinforces their commitment to human rights while performing its mandate under the law.
“Visayas Command is resolute in ensuring that every action taken under the Anti-Terrorism Act respects fundamental rights, adheres to due process and upholds the dignity of every individual,” Reyeg said in a statement.
Personnel from Viscom headquarters and subordinate units participated in the discussion on human rights-based approaches to the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 11479 given by a team from the ATC-Program Management Center (PMC) headed by its executive director, Undersecretary Bernardo Florece, Jr.
Representatives of the Cebu police also attended the activity.
Reyeg said hosting the educational caravan “is a testament to our commitment to both security and the rights of the Filipino people.”
“We firmly believe that security and human rights are not mutually exclusive but are, in fact, mutually reinforcing. As we perform our mandate under this law, we recognize our duty to protect the rights and freedoms that define our democracy,” he added.
Reyeg said RA 11479, signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte, is not just a legal tool against terrorism as “it is a testament to our nation’s collective resolve to protect the people and uphold democratic values.”
The law, he said, serves as “the backbone of our anti-terrorism efforts in the region, ensuring that we carry out our mandate with the utmost respect for the rights and dignity of every individual.”
The caravan provided a platform for Visayas soldiers to deepen their understanding of the law, its alignment with local and international human rights standards, and its practical application in their combat and non-combat duties. (PNA)