AFP urges public to support gov’t effort vs violence as it marks Human Rights Day

December 10, 2020

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) called on the public to support the government's effort against violence and radicalization as part of the observance of Human Rights Day.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines joins every Filipino worldwide in observing the Human Rights Day," AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Gilbert Gapay said in a statement on Thursday.

"We stand up for human rights and continue to stand by its principles, even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, in our performance of our mandate as protector of the people and the state," said Gapay.

"The adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948 will continue to hold us accountable to our commitment to protect human rights, especially in conflict," he said.

"To this, we urge everyone to join us in resisting radicalization and seeking a just end to all violence," he added.

Gapay said "security is a shared responsibility."

"With every Filipino's cooperation, we can all be human rights advocates and peacebuilders," he said.

"Let us all ensure that the tenets of  UDHR are upheld and respected!," he added. Robina Asido/DMS