CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Military and police authorities in Northern Mindanao have signified intention to help the region’s Commission on Human Rights (CHR-10) against the reported extortion of personalities claiming to be part of the New People’s Army (NPA).
In an interview Tuesday, Maj. Francisco Garello, the Army’s 4th Infantry Division spokesperson, said they will cooperate with CHR-10 officials as soon they are ready to share information on the incident.
Garelllo said based on initial information, the extortion incident happened in Iligan City, which is under the jurisdiction of the 1st Infantry Division.
"First, we need to receive their report and discuss with them the incident," Garello said, adding CHR's cooperation is crucial to verify if the suspected extortionists are legitimate members of the NPA.
In a statement, CHR Executive Director Jacqueline de Guia said CHR-10 and their counterpart office in Region 12 recently received calls from unknown personalities claiming to be NPA members and threatening the regional staff.
One caller demanded PHP200,000, De Guia said.
Lt. Col. Michelle Olaivar, Police Regional Office-10 spokesperson, said they are ready to conduct an investigation to identify the extortionists once CHR-10 allows them to do so.
"What we ask is cooperation from the concerned people to help us, particularly if they have (valuable) information," Olaivar said.
In recent years, the 4ID has filed complaints before the CHR-10 accusing the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the NPA of violating International Humanitarian Law, especially on their practices of recruiting children as combatants.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The Anti-Terrorism Council has also formally designated the National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973. (PNA)
