Eleazar joins CHR in calling out CPP-NPA-NDF for alleged rights violations

Philippine National Police chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar on Sunday joined the Commission on Human Rights in calling out the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines for alleged rights violations.

"Nakikiisa ang Philippine National Police sa pahayag ng Commission on Human Rights hinggil sa malawakan at paulit-ulit na paglabag ng CPP-NPA-NDF sa karapatang pantao sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng mga landmine at pag-target sa mga sibilyan," Eleazar said in a statement.

(The Philippine National Police is one with the Commission on Human Rights in its stand against the widespread and continuous violation of human rights by the CPP-NPA-NDF through the use of landmines and targeting of civilians.)

"Matagal na namin sinasabi na hindi na idelohiya ang ipinaglalaban ng mga ito dahil sa paulit-ulit na pag-target sa sibilyan at malawakang extortion na ginagawa sa mga negosyante at mismong sa mga ordinaryong tao," he added.

(We have been saying all along that they are no longer fighting for ideology due to the repeated targeting of civilians and widespread extortion on businessmen and even ordinary citizens.)

"The worst part of this is the lack of accountability on the part of the CPP-NPA-NDF who harm and kill civilians," Eleazar added.

"Mga kriminal at teroristang grupo lang ang hindi nagpaparusa sa kanilang mga nagkamali at at abusadong miyembro," he said.

(Those who do not punish their erring and abusive members are criminals and terrorist groups.)

The CHR underscored on Friday that no ideology can justify violations of human rights following an attack by suspected members of the NPA in Eastern Samar.

CHR deputy spokesperson Marc Louis Siapno said suspected NPA members ambushed state forces in the town of Jipapad on Wednesday morning, killing three and injuring around four others from the government side.

The NPA was said to have used an improvised explosive device (IED) as well.

The CHR said it would pursue an independent probe into the incident.

Last month, Far Eastern University football player Kieth Absalon and his cousin Nolven Absalon, a labor leader, died after a landmine exploded in Masbate as they were biking.

Days after the incident, the CPP-NPA took responsibility for the incident and apologized and expressed remorse. The CPP also admitted that the killing involved a violation of international law. —KG, GMA News