Interior Secretary Eduardo Año called on the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA) to turn over those responsible for murder of Far Eastern University (FEU) football player Kieth Absalon and his cousin in Masbate so that they may face public trial for their crimes.’
“Now that the CPP/NPA has accepted full responsibility for the senseless murder, it now becomes their duty to turn over the terrorists responsible for the deaths so that justice maybe served to their families and loved ones,” said Año.
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Año insisted that “it is not enough that they took responsibility and let bygones be bygones.’’
“The ends of justice require that those responsible must be held accountable for their crimes against the people under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines,” he added.
He stressed that the supposed internal probe of the CPP/NPA cannot be trusted by the public since “they do not adhere to established rules of procedure and that they have their own brand of revolutionary justice.’’
The DILG chief was referring to the mass graves of former communist cadres who were summarily executed by the CPP/NPA in internal purges in the 80s and the 90s as well the murders of former NPA cadres who were summarily executed for leaving the terror group.
“They can turn over the suspects to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) or to their allies in the Makabayan Bloc who are serving in Congress if they prefer so long as they face trial in a court of law,” Año said.
Año noted that the CHR and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will personally guarantee the safety of the suspects while undergoing trial.
He challenged the Makabayan Bloc to demand the turn-over of the suspects as it is their sworn duty as government officials and as members of the House of Representatives.
Año maintained that this is the least they (CPP/NPA) can do for the families and loved ones of the victims who are crying out for justice.