September 10, 2015

Irreberis Appointment: Continuing Impunity and Injustice

We condemn the confirmation of the appointment of Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri as Chief of Staff
of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). His appointment is a reward for a human rights
violator and further depicts the culture of impunity and injustice under the BS Aquino regime.
This was the statement of Audrey Beltran, secretary general of the Cordillera Human Rights
Alliance shortly after the confirmation of Iriberri by the Commission on Appointments yesterday,
September 9, 2015. Iribberi was appointed by President Benigno Aquino and assumed office as
Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in July 10, 2015.
Beltran said that those in the Commission on Appointments equally have blood in their hands
because of this act.
Iriberri was the commanding officer of the 503rd Brigade of the AFP when through air strikes, it
indiscriminately bombed the municipality of Malibcong in the province of Abra, almost hurting
two minors (14 years old and 17 years old, both females) and subjecting communities to grave
danger in May 31, 2013. Shortly before being assigned as Commanding Officer of the 7th ID, his
troops under the 41st Infantry Battalion were perpetrated the massacre of the Ligiw family - Ama
Licuben and his two sons, Fermin and Eddie, in the first week of March 2014. The same unit also
had a notorious record of sexual exploitation of women and girls.
Gen. Iriberri awarded the 41st Infantry Battalion troops - 2nd Lt. Joe Mari Landicho, head of the
operating troops, Capt. Deo Martinez, Operations Officer, Lt. Col. Rogelio Noora, Lt. Mark de
los Santos, Cpl. Gilbert Baawa, PFC James Erickson Danao and Randy Saayan and other soldiers
belonging to the 41st Infantry Battalion (IB), who committed grave war crimes against the people
in Lacub, Abra. The massive military operations that took place resulted to the torture and
extrajudicial killing of two civilians, torture, willful killing and desecration of remains of seven
members of the New Peoples Army and other violations of human rights and international
humanitarian law against the people in the said municipality from September 3-6, 2014.
Under his watch, human rights violations will continue and will worsen, Beltran continued. The
CHRA strongly believes that under Gen. Iriberri's leadership, the impunity of the military and its
paramilitary forces will worsen especially in the coming months. Among the marching order
from his boss is to secure the elections that will serve the interest of those in power.#
For reference:
Audrey Beltran
Secretary General
Cordillera Human Rights Alliance