(File photo)
MANILA – The Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva said Friday the government is investigating 1,500 new cases of possible breach of humanitarian law by the New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
The statement came after UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet cited reports of abuses by the NPA in her speech at the 48th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council on October 7.
"High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet cited reports of abuses by the New People's Army of the Communist Party of the Philippines, including the killing of civilians, recruitment of children, and extortion. The Philippine government's AO35 Task Force is investigating 1,500 new cases of possible NPA breach of humanitarian law," the Permanent Mission tweeted.
Administrative Order No. 35 Task Force is the government's inter-agency committee on extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and other grave violations on the right to life, liberty, and security of persons.
The task force is chaired by the Department of Justice and composed of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of National Defense, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Office of the Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs, Presidential Human Rights Committee, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and the National Bureau of Investigation.
The Philippines' Anti-Terrorism Council has designated the CPP-NPA, and National Democratic Front as terrorist groups.
The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines also listed the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization. (PNA)
