Link to article: https://iwpr.net/global-voices/philippines-army-%E2%80%93-its-own-worst-enemy
This article discussed the disreputable Philippines army and their potential abuse of human rights. The Commission on Human rights (CHR) has been denied access into military camps multiple times after taking action on the many reports of heinous crimes against humanity they received. The article tells the tragic story of Rebelyn Pitao, who was put to death on account of her father being the leader of a rebellious communist army called the New People’s Army. Without any association to this group, Rebelyn was killed only because she was her father’s daughter. Disallowing police investigation is what draws suspicion on how they actually treat humans behind closed doors. The Armed Forces of the Philippines have been discrediting health officials of the New People’s Army claiming they’re a communist organization, but perhaps the AFP have something to hide.
In 1932 communism was disallowed in the Philippines, but the Armed Forces of the Philippines is starting to be considered an underground communist group because of how closed off they are to the public. Theoretically this could be an example of the rise of a communist regime, and with the Philippines having a long history of communist leadership, it isn’t out of the question at all. Given the fact that it is next to all of these communist and socialist republics, it would be no surprise for the Philippines to turn communist. If the Philippines were to turn into a Communist Republic, trade relationships might change with other countries but I doubt there would be any impacts with their region considering they are an island. But the Philippines may be less agreeable with some of their allies which could cause conflict. I believe the line is drawn when the AFP did not permit the police into their camps for investigation, because even if they don’t have what the police are looking for, they must be hiding something else. Now this is all theoretical, but if the AFP are innocent, then they definitely need to decide if having privacy is worth putting all of your citizens in fear.