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CHR to probe alleged fake surrender of 'rebels' in Bulacan, urges military to investigate too
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Saturday said it will conduct "prompt investigation" into the alleged fake mass surrender in Bulacan of 244 supposed communist rebels said to be affiliated with Bayan Muna and Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY).
"These reports have been received and shall be endorsed to the respective Regional Offices of the CHR for prompt investigation," CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement.
The CHR however urged the military to do the same and conduct its own parallel investigation.
"Pending results of our own investigation, we strongly urge the military to conduct its own parallel probe to also ascertain veracity of these allegations," De Guia said.
Bayan Muna chairperson Neri Colmenares on Friday asked the CHR
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In a letter to CHR chairperson Jose Luis Martin Gascon, Colmenares claimed that this event, attended by Central Luzon police chief Police Brigadier General Valeriano de Leon, Bulacan police chief Police Colonel Lawrence Cajipe, Bulacan regional mobile force battalion 3 officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant Colonel Fitz Macariola, and San Jose Del Monte Mayor Arthur Robes, was fake.
He said state forces presented supposed members of Bayan Muna and urban poor group Kadamay and tagged them as "sectoral front organizations utilized by the communist terrorist group (CTG) as their source of manpower in the conduct of street rallies and demonstrations or mass mobilizations against the government."
GMA News Online asked the police for comment on Friday regarding the matter but it has yet to reply as of posting time.
"Further allegations include the harassment of individuals and misuse of government assistance as part the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) as payment to individuals coerced into surrendering," the CHR also said.
"CHR continues to stress its condemnation against armed struggle and other forms of terrorism. It is also our hope that there will be a significant reduction of violence on the ground, especially for conflict vulnerable and affected communities. We must put a stop to senseless violence," it said.
"As CHR pursues its independent probe, we shall also be open in hearing the side of the military and the government on this concern," the commission added. —KG, GMA News