Defense Secretary orders review of military doctrine and tactics to address human rights issue and avoid heavy casualties

By Ronron
November 8, 2007

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. has ordered a review of the doctrine and tactics of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) so as to improve the perception of the public on the military’s sensitivity to human rights issues and to avoid suffering heavy casualties.

Teodoro said the review will particularly focus on the military’s rules of engagement and he has tasked the AFP leadership to do it.

“We are fighting terrorist organizations, which have no regard for innocent lives and have no remorse. We must therefore fine-tune our doctrines and tactics to ensure that our doctrines and soldiers shall be truly responsive to the various threats facing our country today,” he said in a speech at the 57th founding anniversary celebration of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

“Legal and perception-rooted restrictions on our methods… continues to constrain our movements. This reality, together with the need to underscore respect for human rights, continues to challenge the way we think and we do things. I therefore enjoin the Marine leadership and the rest of our soldiers to evolve doctrinally and adapt to the changing security threats in asymmetric warfare because of the tactics employed by the enemy, as well as the legal constraints,” he added.

Teodoro said the review should be able to result in a perception that the military establishment upholds human rights, and that the tactics “conform to bigger requirements based on international reports.”

Asked if the review order means the current rules of engagement has allowed soldiers to abuse human rights, the defense chief said: “That’s what we will determine. First, for the AFP to determine, then I will review.”

Teodoro would not say that his order was in response to investigation made by UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston and the Melo Commission, rather it was just coincidental.

Both entities have lashed at the military for somehow tolerating the abuses of some of its personnel.

“But we realize the perception, that we must make stronger the visible commitment of upholding human rights,” Teodoro said.

While he said his order was not brought about also by the heavy losses of the AFP in Sulu and Basilan since July, he said “we have to factor that in.”

“We have to balance out the need for our operational objectives, meeting them, balancing human rights and naturally, protecting our troops too. That is a fine balance that we have to do,” the Secretary explained.

Sought for his comment on Teodoro’s order, PMC commandant Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino disclosed that he will in fact issue a policy announcement Friday during the scheduled command conference of the AFP.

The policy, which he refused to make public so as not to forewarn their “enemies” about it, is intended to avoid a repeat of the July 10 incident in Al-Barka, Basilan, said Dolorfino./DMS