‘Probe cops, soldiers, vigilante groups over Negros killings’

MANILA, Philippines — Police and military personnel should be among those investigated in connection with the wave of killings in Negros in 2018 and last year.

A report released yesterday by the Senate committees on public order and dangerous drugs and human rights noted that most of the killings occurred when the police and military launched Oplan Sauron or the Simultaneous Enhanced Managing of Police Operations in Negros.

Eleven senators signed the committee report.

The Senate panels, which are chaired by Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Richard Gordon, conducted an inquiry into the killing of farmers and several other persons, most of whom are members of militant groups.

From July 18 to 28 last year alone, 21 people, among them lawyers, barangay officials and police officers, were killed in Negros Oriental.

“To say that the period between October 2018 and July 2019 was bloody is a gross understatement. In that eight-month period, a series of killings and attempted killings occurred... No one was spared. Men, women and children suffered in the hands of lawless armed men,” the report stated.

The Senate panels also recommended that anti-communist vigilante groups should be unmasked and charged in court for the killings.

The committee report cited Kagubak, said to be behind the murder of those perceived as supporters of communist rebels.

It also recommended the deployment of additional police and military personnel in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental to address the peace and order situation.

“Deploy more CHR (Commission on Human Rights) officers in Negros for the continuing investigation of complaints or allegations of violation of human rights and abuses,” it added.

Anti-insurgency operations should be intensified but with due regard to the protection of human rights and due process of law, the committee report stated.