Esperon questions Karapatan’s silence over Negros Oriental killings

July 31, 2019

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon on Wednesday questioned the human rights group Karapatan for being silent over the death of four Negros Oriental police officers under the hand of communist rebels.

“They are Karapatan but do they condemn on the death of four policemen that were tortured before being killed? Do they say something about those who are being victim of drug-related violence?” Esperon said in a forum in Manila.

Esperon said it is natural for Karapatan to attack the government as they are one of CPP-NPA-NDF ( Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front) groups.

Last July 18, four police intelligence officers were killed and tortured while they are conducting operations in the area.

Communist rebels claimed responsibility over the incident.

Killings have continued,  prompting the Philippine National Police to send one battalion of Special Action Force commandos.

Esperon said the incident is “unacceptable” and even President Rodrigo Duterte is “very concerned”.

“We have to investigate all of this. It should not lead to anarchy and open violence,” he said.

Esperon added that the province is known for its land disputes and it is also being used by communist rebels to gain the support of the local community.

“Our problems (in the province) don’t stop… it is also being used as primary attraction by the CPP-NPA, they promise land (to the people)… so because of that problem insurgency continues in Negros (Island),” said Esperon.

Esperon hit back at critics who used human rights to attack the government.

“Human rights is not the exclusive interest or concern of one sector… I can always say your soldiers, your policemen are on the side of human rights,” he said.

In their previous statement, Karapatan condemned the killings of civilians in Negros Oriental. The group also tagged the police and military as behind the incidents.

“All four killings were done using the same modus operandi – shot by riding-in-tandem gunmen,” said Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay.  Ella Dionisio/DMS