Uphold International Humanitarian Law in Abra, Resume Peace Talks Now! Statement on the Military Offensives happening in Abra
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- Parent Category: Worldwide struggles
- Created: Wednesday, 12 August 2026 22:43
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n view of the series of armed encounters between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Tineg and Licuan-Baay, Abra since July 19, we call on the Armed Forces of the Philippines to uphold International Humanitarian Law (IHL) — it should turn over the bodies of the three slain alleged NPA members to their families, who have been appealing for it. The bodies, according to reports, have been under police custody for more than two days after being left at the alleged encounter site for over a day. To this day, autopsy has been delayed, the remains are reportedly not being kept in refrigerated storage, and the grieving families are being interrogated instead of allowing them to bring home their dead.
Further, we call for the immediate suspension of offensive military operations (SOMO) to prevent harm to civilians and further livelihood disruption. Residents have reportedly been unable to cultivate their rice fields, while restrictions on movement have disrupted their other economic livelihoods.
The recent history of militarization in Abra resulted in extrajudicial killings of civilians like Engr. Fidela Salvador and Noel Viste by the 41st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (IBPA), Antonio Diwayan by the 77th IBPA, and many others. AFP bombings in Pilar resulted in forced evacuation of over 200 individuals in 2024. IHL violations were also documented in the Malibcong bombings in 2017.
Thus, we reject the proposal to construct a military complex spread over 2,000 hectares encompassing the towns of Villaviciosa and Luba. The construction of this military complex only intensifies International Humanitarian Law and human rights violations, and serves the military interests of the US. Communities affected by the project have been calling for the conduct of a genuine Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) process on the project.
The province of Abra needs genuine peace and development and the respect of human rights, International Humanitarian Law, and Indigenous People’s rights to land and resources. Abra is rich in mineral deposits, such as gold and copper, that are being targeted for extraction by several mining companies. These include Yamang Mineral Corporation (YMC), a subsidiary of UK-owned Metals Exploration PLC, which plans to implement mining exploration projects covering a total of 27,700 hectares of land across nine municipalities, without the Free Prior and Informed Consent of the affected communities. Since 2024, affected communities have been strongly opposing the projects. Government and corporate economic interests in the province have long resulted in the militarization of the province, especially in communities actively resisting these projects.
We call for the resumption of the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) to address the root causes of the armed conflict through socio economic reforms and human rights. In 1998, the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) is the first substantive agreement reached on the peace process committing both parties to uphold human rights and international humanitarian law. For the socio-economic reform agenda, the NDFP issued its draft Comprehensive Agreement on Socio Economic Reforms (CASER) in 2018. Its contents include developing the national economy, upholding people’s rights and economic sovereignty.
Investigate violations of International Humanitarian Law!
Immediately release the bodies to their families!
Suspend offensive military operations!
Stop militarization in Abra!
CORDILLERA PEOPLES ALLIANCE
6 August 2026