DAVAO CITY”•The Military Judge Advocate of the Eastern Mindanao Command will monitor the implementation of martial law in Mindanao to ensure that the Armed Forces will obey the laws and respect human rights, an official said Monday.
Captain Melanie Domino, Acting Staff Judge Advocate of the Eastmincom, said they were ready to receive complaints on the abuses and violation of human rights by members of the military under the area of responsibility of the Eastmincom, which covers Davao and Caraga and portions of Regions 10 and 12.
She said they could investigate the administrative culpability of the AFP members for abuses.
Eastmincom has been assuring the people that they will follow the rule of law in the implementation of martial law.
It said it is also taking measures so that no martial law abuses will be committed by either the members of the military or the police.
The Judge Advocate is now advising the operating commanders of the military and educating the troops about martial law and the rules of engagement.
Domino said this was in partnership with other authorities especially on the conduct of searches, arrests and seizures.
She said they were waiting for the specific parameters of the martial law declaration by President Rodrigo Duterte that will be issued by the Defense department, which is tasked to work on the guidelines.
Meanwhile, Lt. General Rey Leonardo Guerrero, commander of the Eastmincom and the designated enforcer of martial law, urged the public to report violations of law and procedure committed by military and police personnel.
He said he was enlisting the support of the multi-sector advisory group composed of representatives from business, the legal profession, the media, the religious groups, the academe and local government units.
“There will be full transparency and accountability in all actions that will be taken by the martial law implementers,” Guerrero told reporters.
He reiterated the government position that martial law was declared to restore law and order in the areas affected by the rebellion by the Maute group.
Guerrero said the Maute group had already pledged allegiance to the ISIS or Daesh with the intention of transforming Mindanao into an Islamic State or Daulah Islamiyah.
He said martial law would not be targeting law-abiding citizens.
“They have nothing to fear,” he said.