Philippines mulls law to compensate victims of war on rebels

Manila: Lawmakers in the Philippines are considering a law to compensate civilians killed or injured as a result of fighting between rebel and government forces.

House Bill 2677, put forward by Representatives Diosdado “Dato” Macapagal-Arroyo and his mother, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, pushes for financial compensation for civilians caught in crossfire between the two sides.

Every year, dozens of civilians die during encounters involving government forces and militants. Although the administration usually takes care of hospitalisation and treatment of the injured, there is no law assigning such as a responsibility to the state.

The proponents say, although the loss of life can never be compensated monetarily, having a law that spells out the state’s responsibility in paying damage to the aggrieved somehow eases the emotional and financial burden of the affected people.

“We can never compensate the real value to the loss of civilian lives during unfortunate clashes between government forces and rebels, but for sure government has the responsibility to extend all possible financial and other benefits to victims,” stressed Dato, Representative the second congressional district of Camarines Sur.

His mother represents the second congressional district of Pampanga province.

The bill is titled “An Act to provide compensation, reimbursement for hospitalisation expenses, and other benefits, to civilians caught in the crossfire between rebels and the military, and for other purposes,” or the “Civilian Compensation Act of 2013.”

Based on the law, the Civilian Compensation Fund will be established. The fund would be administered by the Commission on Human Rights.

Aside from incidents of killings as a result of being caught in the crossfire, government operations as well as rebel offensives designed to force civilians to move to other locations have also resulted in the displacement of hundreds of people.

“Amid numerous incidents of killings and inevitable displacement of many Filipinos due to military counter insurgency-efforts, there is an urgent need to alleviate the suffering of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire brought about by the continued armed conflict between the military and rebel forces,” the Arroyos said.

They gave an example of the incident in September 2013, when fighting broke out between government forces and a recalcitrant faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) led by Nur Misuari.

“The recent encounter is one grim incident that left thousands of civilians, especially children and women, including the elderly, suffering from the grim consequences of an armed conflict. Many died during the siege and the damage to property, among other ill-effects of violence, was just unimaginable,” the proponents said.

Under the proposal, any civilian killed or injured in the crossfire between rebels and the military shall be entitled a P30,000 (Dh2,462) indemnity in case of death; or a reimbursement for the necessary expenses incurred, including for hospitalisation, medical treatment and loss of wages.

The measure likewise provides tha, in case civilians are compelled by the military to evacuate before a government operation, the Commission shall provide emergency housing, food and medical benefits to them.