Owning up to a crime is not enough to realise justice and accountability.
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) demands greater accountability following the statement of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) taking “full responsibility” for the death of Keith Absalon and his cousin, Nolven Absalon, after a landmine blast in Masbate.
If the New People’s Army is serious and sincere about taking accountability for the IED (improvised explosive device) killing of civilians in Masbate—beyond owning responsibility, offering indemnity, and promising an investigation—they should identify all those responsible and surrender them to the lawful authorities to face justice within the court system. They should likewise be held accountable for all other crimes they have perpetrated in violation of international humanitarian and human rights laws since they began pursuing this armed conflict.
As we demand transparency and accountability from the government, we demand the same from the NPA. We reiterate as an independent national human rights institution that respect for human rights and international humanitarian law at all times is the foundation for a just and lasting peace. To enjoy our collective freedoms and human rights, both the State and non-State agents must assume their separate duties and responsibilities on upholding, protecting, and promoting these principles.
We continue to condemn all forms of violence that tramples on the rights and dignity of all persons. In this regard, we urge the government to ensure that perpetrators are held to account under existing laws. ###