CHR probes killings of military ‘spies’ in Negros Occidental

This photo taken on June 8, 2021, shows the façade of the Commission on Human Rights office in Quezon City. —Inquirer/Niño Jesus Orbeta

BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has launched an investigation into the separate killings of at least seven civilians in Negros Occidental from April to early May this year, who were allegedly tagged as spies or “military agents” by the New People’s Army (NPA).

Vincent Parra, chief of the CHR here, said they would determine who was behind the killings, mainly to validate reports that the NPA had owned up to the killings.

“We are conducting an investigation on the killings that were supposed to have been admitted by the NPA. Executing people is a violation of the right to life,” he said in a statement on Saturday.

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“Even our courts cannot order the death penalty. Killing cannot be justified on the allegation that they are military informers, it is a violation to the right to life,” Parra added.

Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) operating on Negros Island, lauded the CHR probe.

Impartial

“We welcome any investigation that will shed light on these incidents. The 3rd ID reaffirmed its dedication to working closely with the CHR to ensure the investigation is thorough, impartial and transparent,” he said in a separate statement.

With the support and cooperation of the 3ID and CHR, Sison hoped that human rights are protected and peace is restored in Negros Occidental.

The NPA in Negros Occidental had earlier released statements admitting to the killings of alleged “military agents,” identified as Danny Boy Bartolome of Sitio Paho, Camandag, La Castellana town, on April 11; Alexander Alquizar, a village watchman of Proper Lagaan, Calatrava town, on April 20; Myrna Bilando of Sitio Duga-anon, Barangay Oringao, Kabankalan City, on April 21; Jun Habagat of Sitio Cagay, Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City, on April 24; Albert Golez of Sitio Cuyawyaw, Barangay Inolingan, Moises Padilla town, on April 24; Ritoy Pedro of Sitio Kamanggahan, Barangay Amontay, Binalbagan, on April 28; and Donie Baculi, a village watchman of Sitio Bactolon, Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City, on May 3. —Carla P. Gomez