BACOLOD CITY – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will conduct a motu proprio investigation on the death of civilians tagged by the New People’s Army (NPA) as military assets in Negros Occidental.

The NPA has claimed responsibility for the killings of eight civilians in various areas in the province from April 11 to May 9.
According to the Army 3rd Infantry Division (ID), the NPA admitted the killings of Danny Boy Bartolome in Camandag, La Castellana town on April 11; village watchman Alexander Alquizar of Calatrava town on April 20; Myra Belando in Barangay Oringao, Kabankalan City on April 21; Jun Habagat in Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City on April 24;
Albert Goles in Barangay Inolingan, Moises Padilla town on April 24; Ritoy Pedro in Barangay Amontay, Binalbagan town on April 28; Barangay tanod Donie Bacoli in Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City on May 3; and Person with Disability (PWD) Armando Binaloac in Barangay Puso, La Castellana town on May 9.
Vicente Parra, CHR-Negros Occidental head, said that this could be a violation of the right to life committed by non-state actors.
The 3rd ID welcomed the CHR probe and expressed all-out support to their efforts to uncover the truth behind these killings.
"We welcome any investigation that will shed light on these incidents and help bring justice for the victims and their families,” Major Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd ID commander, said.
The 3rd ID reaffirmed its dedication to work closely with the CHR to ensure the investigation is thorough, impartial, and transparent.
“By cooperating fully with the CHR's probe, the military aims to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to accountability and respect for human rights,” Sison said.
The Negros Occidental police said that they will push with their investigation based on evidence and not just on the “mere claims” of any group as they have a criminal procedure to follow.