MANILA, Philippines -- The military and the police issued on Sunday joint rules in conducting operations in Maguindanao, where martial law was imposed three days ago, to ensure the protection of civilians in the province during operations to pin down suspects in the Maguindanao massacre.
AFP Chief of Staff Victor Ibrado said the guidelines were given out on Sunday to all government troops deployed in the province to remind them to respect individual rights and warn them against the excessive use of force.
"If any soldier would violate these policies, he would be meted the appropriate punishment," Ibrado told reporters on Sunday.
President Macapagal-Arroyo declared martial law in Maguindanao, the site of the Nov. 23 massacre, after reports of brewing unrest among the supporters of the powerful Ampatuan clan accused of the slaughter of 57 people three weeks ago.
The Philippine National Police enumerated six salient points of the guidelines: police and military officers must observe inter-unit coordination at all times especially in hot pursuit operations; all police intervention operations must be carried out with marked police vehicles and in the proper uniform;
Warning shots during police intervention should not be used at any point; excessive use of force must be avoided and security forces must ensure that no innocent civilian will be caught in crossfire;
Moving vehicles may not be fired upon except when the suspects pose "imminent danger" to security forces and the officer in charge shall secure and preserve the site after an armed confrontation.
Ibrado also required military forces to positively identify their targets before any engagement.
Philippine National Police Director Gen. Jesus Verzosa added that all types of operational and undercover dispatches shall be recorded in the police blotter.
Joint operations were continuously being conducted in Maguindanao against armed groups believed to be massing up in support of the Ampatuans in different areas in the province to mount a standoff against government forces, said the PNP spokesperson, Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina.
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