The International Committee of the Red Cross Philippines (ICRC) has clarified that the medical evacuation of two individuals believed to be communist rebels was done strictly as a humanitarian act and was properly coordinated with authorities.
The evacuation last May 29 was only to bring the wounded individuals to a health facility and was done “in fulfillment of our mission to prevent and alleviate suffering during armed conflict,” ICRC Philippine delegation head Boris Michel said in a statement.
“Under international humanitarian law, or the law of armed conflict, wounded and sick fighters who are no longer able to fight, regardless of what side they belong to, are entitled to the medical care and treatment required by their condition,” the ICRC said.
Police intercepted three ICRC vehicles at a checkpoint in Lianga, Surigao del Sur on May 29 and found two wounded persons whom they suspected were rebels.
Army 4th Infantry Division spokesman Capt. Al Anthony Pueblas said the two were briefly detained and allowed to proceed to the Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City.
The ICRC clarified that it did not have emergency medical services, and only provided transport to wounded or sick persons when requested by a party.
It also said the Philippine Red Cross assisted in the Surigao medical evacuation.
“The medical transfer to a hospital was successfully completed. As a neutral organization, we will not interfere with subsequent actions by the authorities that may include investigations or arrests. We make sure that all parties to the conflict understand our role and our limitations as well. Nevertheless, in case a person is detained in relation to armed conflict, the ICRC would continue to monitor the situation of the detainee, in accordance with our fundamental mandate,” Michel said.
The two individuals were identified as Jea Angeles Perez, 22, single, resident of Purok 4, Barangay Puyat, Carmen, Surigao del Sur; and Noel Dadang, 32, married, without any known address.
Perez had a gunshot wound on her right leg while Dadang had a wound on his left rib and parietal area, authorities said.
Regional police said the individuals were from Barangay Janipaan, San Agustin, a known NPA area in Surigao del Sur. John Ezekiel J. Hirro