MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were urged to conduct their own investigation into the spate of killings in the provinces of Negros Island.
“The PNP and the AFP should conduct an internal investigation and gather evidence for possible filing of administrative and criminal liabilities against police and military personnel involved in the implementation of ‘Oplan Sauron’ for possible human rights abuses and/or violations of law, if any,” a report by the Senate committees on Public Order and Safety as well as on Justice and Human Rights said.
The recommendations were made after a hearing on Aug. 27, 2019.
The report said the killing incidents between Oct. 2018 and July 2019 escalated at the time of the Simultaneous Enhanced Managing of Police Operations (SEMPO) which was launched on Dec. 27, 2018.
“The launching of these two police-military operations saw the further escalation of killings in the two provinces. To say that the period between October 2018 and July 2019 was bloody is a gross understatement,” the report said.
SEMPO involves the PNP and several battalions of the AFP. Its second version – the Oplan Sauron – was launched on March 30, 2019.
The committee report said six persons were killed, while 31 others were arrested during the period.
Among the fatalities were Reneboy Fat, Demetrio Fat, Jaime Revilla, Dondon Isugan, Jun Cubul, and Constancio Languita.
The joint panels added many of those killed and arrested were affiliated with Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide.
The joint Senate panel also recommended a probe into the members of anti-communist vigilante groups, such as Kagubak, which were allegedly involved in a series of killings./PN
