CHR to probe authenticity of ‘mass surrender’

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said on Saturday it would investigate the concerns on the authenticity of the ‘mass surrender’ of individuals allegedly affiliated with progressive groups. Jacqueline Ann de Guia, spokesperson for the CHR, said the letter filed by Bayan Muna chair Neri Colmenares would be endorsed to the regional office of the CHR for investigation. De Guia also urged the military to conduct a parallel probe of the allegation. On Friday, Bayan Muna asked the human rights body to look into the ‘mass surrender’ of people supposedly affiliated with Bayan Muna and the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap in exchange for government aid. The event was supposedly organized by the Philippine National Police and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. Colmenares said this was another instance of Red-tagging to vilify Bayan Muna, the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives and other progressive groups. —Nikka G. Valenzuela