1

INDEPENDENT COMMISSION TO ADDRESS MEDIA AND ACTIVIST KILLINGS

Created under Administrative Order No. 157 (s. 2006) -0

REPORT
-0INTRODUCTION There is no shirking the fa t that !eo!"e# a"most a"" of them a tivists or mi"itants# have $een ki""ed. There is no den%ing the rea"it% that mi"itant iti&ens have $een "i'uidated. The num$ers var%. Task (or e )sig of the *hi"i!!ine Nationa" *o"i e "isted do+n one hundred e"even (111) ki""ings# +hi h has sin e in reased to one hundred thirt% si, (1-6). Amnest% .nternationa"# in its offi ia" +e$site# mentions 2// vi tims. The grou! 0ara!atan is said to have ounted at "east 72/ ki""ings. )nfortunate"%# none of the so1 a""ed a tivist2mi"itant grou!s# $e the% outright ommunist or sate""ite grou!s# ame for+ard if on"% to inform the Commission of the num$ers of their mem$ers +ho have $e ome vi tims of e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings. 4e this as it ma%# the num$er# +hether at a "o+ of 111 a ording to Task (or e )sig# or a high of 72/ of 0ara!atan# is one too man%. .t is said $% those +ho +ou"d 3ustif% these ki""ings that the vi tims are enemies of the 5tate. 6eri"%# one7s attention ma% $e a""ed to the s reams in death of the vi tims of the Communist *art% of the *hi"i!!ines# its armed grou! the Ne+ *eo!"e7s Arm% (8N*A9)# and its front organi&ations. 5ure"%# ever !resent is the on"% too human fee"ing of +anting to see one7s enemies and o!!ressors $ite the dust# so to s!eak# stru k do+n on the 'ui k $ased on one7s o+n !ersona" on e!t of 3usti e or on the mi"itar%7s uni"atera" assessment that the% are enemies of the 5tate. This ma% +e"" $e so# $ut it shou"d $e arefu""% noted that the vi tims# of +hi h this Commission is on erned# +ere a"" non1 om$atants. The% +ere not ki""ed in armed "ashes or engagements +ith the mi"itar%. The% +ere ki""ed# it is said# $% motor % "e1riding hooded ki""ers in assassination manner.

re!ort fina" sig

2 :overnment agen ies hard"% need reminding that in a demo rati and ivi"i&ed state su h as ours# one must u!ho"d and o$serve the ru"e of "a+# the !rin i!"es of 3usti e# and the s%stem and ru"es of ho+ it is dis!ensed ; from investigation to arrest# to in'uest# and to tria". The s%stem ma% $e far from !erfe t# giving rise to the tem!tation to take short1 uts. 4ut !re ise"%# short1 uts are in defian e of the s%stem of im!artia" 3usti e. The ru"es must $e o$served at a"" times. This is the ver% reason +h% *resident :"oria <a a!aga"1Arro%o# understanda$"% a"armed $% these ki""ings# reated this Commission to get to the $ottom of +h% these e,tra3udi ia" or e,tra"ega" ki""ings are ha!!ening and +ho !ro$a$"% are res!onsi$"e therefor. .t is regretta$"e that the mi"itant grou!s +hi h shou"d $e most interested in seeing 3usti e done# forth+ith tagged the Commission as not inde!endent in om!osition. The% refused to heed invitations of the Commission to a!!ear= not ne essari"% +ith +itnesses to the ki""ing# for the% ma% have none (or if there +ere +itnesses# +e ou"d not in ons ien e for e them to testif% if the% +ere fearfu" of their safet%)# $ut if on"% to inform the Commission of their o+n $od%1 ount of vi tims as +e"" as to give their reasons +h% the% $e"ieve that the mi"itar% is res!onsi$"e for the ki""ings. Neverthe"ess# this Commission gathered +hat information it ou"d find from different sour es. .t $e ame a!!arent ear"% on that the num$er of ki""ings# +hether a ording to 0ara!atan or Task (or e )sig# is one too man%.

A.

Factual backdrop .n the +ake of a distur$ing +ave of une,!"ained ki""ings of ivi"ian

a tivists and media !ersonne"# *resident :"oria <a a!aga" Arro%o issued Administrative Order No. 157 entit"ed 8Creating an .nde!endent Commission to Address <edia and A tivist 0i""ings.9 The Commission +as given the task to !rioriti&e and fo us investigation of media and a tivist ki""ings and thereafter to su$mit re ommendations to the *resident on !o"i ies and a tions# in "uding
re!ort fina" sig

!rose ution and "egis"ative !ro!osa"s# if an%# aimed at eradi ating the root auses of the e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings and $reaking su h % "e of vio"en e. Ne essari"%# the Commission7s first and foremost task +as to determine the root ause of the said ki""ings# and if !ossi$"e# the !ersons or interest grou! res!onsi$"e therefor. The Commission +as not reated to so"ve the ki""ings# or an% of them# $% !in!ointing the a tua" gunmen invo"ved. Neither +i"" the Commission !rose ute +ho it $e"ieves are the !ersons $ehind su h ki""ings. Those tasks# +hi h +ou"d take %ears and an arm% of investigators and !rose utors to finish# +ou"d $e $est "eft to the regu"ar"% onstituted "a+ enfor ement authorities and the >e!artment of ?usti e. B. Procedure .t +as de ided $% the Commission that the most effe tive +a% of gathering the ne essar% information a$out the e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings +as to ondu t !u$"i hearings at +hi h eviden e +ou"d $e !resented and resour e !ersons and +itnesses testif%. The :enera" Counse"# under the aus!i es of the Commission# +ou"d $e res!onsi$"e for gathering# sorting# and !resenting the eviden e and +itnesses at the hearings. (a ed +ith a num$er of !otentia" +itnesses and resour e !ersons# the Commission !"anned to invite resour e !ersons or +itnesses from the various a tivist or mi"itant grou!s# fami"ies of vi tims# as +e"" as the !o"i e and mi"itar% authorities. The Commission intended to !resent# as its first set of +itnesses# the fami"ies of the t+o students of the )niversit% of the *hi"i!!ines +ho had then re ent"% disa!!eared in @agono%# 4u"a an# and +ere feared to $e the "atest vi tims of e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings. )nfortunate"%# des!ite invitations sent to the said fami"ies through the good offi es of Commissioner Ne"ia :on&a"e& and other offi ia"s of the )niversit% of the *hi"i!!ines# the% de "ined to a!!ear# seeming"% u!on the urging of 0ara!atan. Aike+ise# des!ite the numerous invitations e,tended $% the Commission# 0ara!atan and other a tivist or mi"itant

re!ort fina" sig

/ grou!s refused to inde!enden e. 5in e the Commission essentia""% re"ied on the vo"untar% oo!eration of +itnesses and resour e !ersons# there +as nothing the Commission ou"d do a$out the re"u tan e of the a tivist grou!s to 3oin the investigation# e, e!t !erha!s $% demonstrating its inde!enden e# !ro$it%# and integrit% in the hearings to $e he"d and in its eventua" re!ort. .n the meantime# due to the "a k of other +itnesses and resour e !ersons from the a tivist and mi"itant grou!s# the Commission o!ted to a"" the !o"i e and mi"itar% authorities to !rovide their o+n information on the e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings. The Commission first a""ed the *hi"i!!ine Nationa" *o"i e# +hi h sent :en. Ave"ino Ba&on# >e!ut% >ire tor of the *N*# together +ith his retinue. :en. Ba&on is "ike+ise the head of Task (or e )sig# +hi h +as reated to investigate# so"ve# and other+ise hand"e the same e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings# and it +as in his a!a it% as su h head that he a!!eared $efore the Commission. The Commission +as "ike+ise informed that Task (or e )sig +as instru ted $% the *resident herse"f to oo!erate fu""% +ith the Commission. :en. Ba&on !resented a om!rehensive re!ort on the a tivities of Task (or e )sig and their vie+s and o!inions on the sus!e ts $ehind the ki""ings. Thereafter# the Commission a""ed on the Armed (or es of the *hi"i!!ines# +hi h +as re!resented $% the Chief of 5taff :en. @ermogenes Cs!eron# +ho gave a $rief re!ort or statement on the ki""ings# and ans+ered various 'uestions !ro!ounded $% the Commission. The ne,t +itness +as Betired :en. ?ovito 5. *a"!aran# ?r.# +ho +as onfronted for his image and re!utation as the !rime sus!e t $ehind the e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings. The Commission then e,tended an invitation to the Commission on @uman Bights# +hi h +as re!resented $% Chair!erson *urifi a ion Duisum$ing. oo!erate# and rather 'uestioned the Commission7s

re!ort fina" sig

5 Thereafter# the Commission he"d hearings in 4a o"od# Negros O identa"# and in >avao Cit% on the a""eged ki""ings of !easants and non1governmenta" organi&ation +orkers sus!e ted to $e !er!etrated $% hired goons of "ando+ners. The Commission noted that these ki""ings are +ithin its mandate to "ook into# onsidering that the vi tims +ere farmers or !easant a tivists.

I.

UNDISPUTED FACTS

(rom the !ro eedings# it $e ame !"ain that ertain matters and fa ts +ere +e""1nigh undis!uted. A"though not ne essari"% !roven in su h a manner that +ou"d $e $inding in a ourt of "a+# these fa ts are neverthe"ess a e!ted as su h $% a"" on erned and# therefore# ma% $e !resumed to $e true. The first undis!uted fa t is that there indeed have $een e,tra"ega" ki""ings# and that the vi tims +ere a"most entire"% mem$ers of a tivist grou!s or +ere media !ersonne". The num$ers of vi tims and the theories $ehind their deaths var% $et+een the versions of the *N* and the mi"itar%# on one hand# and 0ara!atan and Amnest% .nternationa"# on the other. @o+ever# it is undis!uted that there +ere ki""ings. <ore im!ortant"%# it is a"so undis!uted that there +as a rise in the num$er of ki""ings to an e,tent suffi ient to a"arm a tivist grou!s# non1governmenta" organi&ations# the *N*# and# in fa t# the *resident herse"f. 5imi"ar"% e,!ressing on ern +as the internationa" ommunit%# es!e ia""% the Curo!ean )nion. The mi"itar% and !o"i e authorities "ike+ise agree +ith the a tivist grou!s that there +as even a rise in the e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings of a tivists and mi"itants $et+een 2001 and 2006 as om!ared to a simi"ar !eriod !rior thereto. Aike+ise +ithout dis!ute is the manner of the ki""ings. (rom the re!orts of Task (or e )sig# vi tims +ere genera""% unarmed# a"one# or in sma"" grou!s# and +ere gunned do+n $% t+o or more masked or hooded assai"ants# oftentimes riding motor % "es. The assai"ants usua""% sur!rised the vi tims in !u$"i !"a es or their homes# and made 'ui k geta+a%s. .t is undis!uted that the ki""ings su$3e t of the investigation did not o ur during mi"itar% engagements or
re!ort fina" sig

6 firefights. These +ere assassination or am$ush t%!e ki""ings# !rofessiona" hits arried out 'ui k"% and +ith the assai"ants es a!ing +ith im!unit%. .t is a"so undis!uted that the *N* has not made mu h head+a% in so"ving these ki""ings. Out of the 111 ki""ings of a tivists a kno+"edged $% the *N*# on"% -7 had $een for+arded to the !ro!er !rose utor7s offi e for !re"iminar% investigation or fi"ed in ourt. O$vious"%# the reason for this !oor s ore +as the refusa" of 0ara!atan and its a""ied grou!s to ome for+ard and oo!erate. Aast"%# it is "ear that the rise in ki""ings of su h a tivists +hom the mi"itar% $rands as enemies of the state +as to su h an e,tent that it ou"d not !ossi$"% $e attri$uted to a sim!"e in rease in the rime rate. .n fa t# the ir umstan es "ear"% sho+ that su h ki""ings of a tivists and media !ersonne" is !ursuant to an or hestrated !"an $% a grou! or se tor +ith an interest in e"iminating the vi tims# invaria$"% a tivists and media !ersonne". C**1N*A. The mi"itar% esta$"ishment itse"f a kno+"edges this# $% attri$uting the rise in ki""ings to a 8!urge9 of ranks $% the

II.

PRESENTATION OF WITNESSES/ RESOURCE PERSONS

A.

Task Force Usig; PNP Deputy Director Gen. Avelino I. a!on" #r. 1. Introd !t"on

Task (or e )sig (T()) +as reated# u!on instru tions of *resident :"oria <a a!aga"1Arro%o# $% 5e retar% Bona"do 6. *uno of the >e!artment of .nterior and Ao a" :overnment# to investigate the media and !o"iti a" ki""ings.

#.

St$t"%t"!% on &"''(d $!t")"%t% $nd n(*%+(n/+(d"$ +(n1.

T() re!orted that from the 2001 to 2006# the tota" num$er of s"ain2!art% "ist mem$ers rea hed 111 +hi"e the tota" num$er of media men ki""ed for the same !eriod rea hed 26. T()7s statisti s are mu h "o+er than the figures
1

See also Update on Task Force Usig as of September 12, 2006, p. 8, submitted by Gen. Razon to the Commission on September 12, 2006,
re!ort fina" sig

7 re!orted $% 0ara!atan and Amnest% .nternationa" for the same !eriod. A ording to 0ara!atan# there +as a tota" of 72/ ki""ings +hi"e Amnest% .nternationa" "aims that there +as a tota" of 2// ki""ings. :en. Ba&on ou"d not e,!"ain the differen e in the figures $e ause a ording to him# 0ara!atan and Amnest% .nternationa" have refused to meet +ith T(). An u!dated re!ort of T() as of 2- Novem$er 2006 sho+s an in reased tota" of 115 ases of ki""ings of a tivists or mi"itants. Out of this tota"# /6 ases are a"read% 8fi"ed in ourt9 and the remaining 6E are sti"" under 8e,tensive investigation and ase $ui"d1u!.9 2.1 Out of the 111 e,tra3udi ia" mi"itant ki""ings# -7 rimina"

om!"aints have $een fi"ed# +hi"e 7/ ases are sti"" under investigation. The "o+ num$er of ases fi"ed is a""eged"% due toF (1) "a k of +itnessesG (2) a$sen e of suffi ient eviden eG and (-) the !enden % of !re"iminar% investigation. :en. Ba&on further added that there is "a k of onfiden e in the im!artia"it% of !o"i e# fear of re!risa" $% other e"ements of so iet%# and "a k of interest of the vi tims7 fami"ies. 2.2 Of the tota" of 26 media !ersons ki""ed# t+ent% one (21) ases

have $een fi"ed +hi"e five (5) are sti"" under investigation. Hhen asked to e,!"ain the su$stantia" differen e in the effi ien % of the investigation on media men ki""ings vis--vis mi"itant !ersons# :en. Ba&on said that in the ase of media !ersonne"# there are more +itnesses and the !o"i e have re eived more oo!eration from the media.

,.

C$%(% %o')(d

:en. Ba&on stated that the *N* deems a ase so"ved in "ine +ith a NA*OACO< Beso"ution stating that a 8 ase is so"ved9 +hen a sus!e t has $een identified and harges have $een fi"ed $efore the !rose utor or the ourt# +ithout !re3udi e to further investigation. @o+ever# :en. Ba&on "arified that it is not an internationa" definition. .n truth# the 8so"ution effi ien %9 of 2EI is even de e!tive or mis"eading. As stated in T()7s u!dated re!ort 8Out of the tota" /5 ases fi"ed in ourt# the *N* has fi"ed 5 ases +ith J arrested sus!e ts +ho are a"" in 3ai"G fi"ed 25 ases under !re"iminar% investigation# fi"ed 1 ase +ith surrendered sus!e t# +hi"e the
re!ort fina" sig

J sus!e ts for the remaining 15 in idents are sti"" at "arge and are su$3e t of manhunt o!erations.9 .t is not# therefore# entire"% a urate that /5 ases have a"read% $een fi"ed in ourt sin e 825 ases KareL under !re"iminar% investigation.9 Thus# on"% 20 ases have a tua""% $een fi"ed in ourtG 25 ases are on"% under !re"iminar% investigation. These ases ma% %et $e dismissed for "a k of !ro$a$"e ause. Of the 20 ases fi"ed in ourt# the a used or sus!e ts have $een arrested in on"% (6) ases. .t annot then $e a urate"% said that the a used in the 27 ases have $een $rought to 3usti e. .ndeed# +ith res!e t to the 7J ases sti"" under 8e,tensive investigation#9 it is even dou$tfu" +hether the !er!etrators an even $e identified. Hhen asked for the meaning of the term of 8under e,tensive investigation#9 :en. Ba&on said in ea h ase# regu"ar ase onferen es are he"d# more men are assigned to investigate and the organi&ation of s!e ia" teams su h as T(). )!on in'uir%# he re!"ied that T() re eives a month"% $udget of *-00#000.00. As an in entive# ea h mem$er of the unit re eives *5#000.00 for ever% sus!e t a!tured or ase so"ved. :en. Ba&on further testified that the *N* has not $een su essfu" in investigating the ki""ings of mi"itants $e ause the C**2N*A has terrori&ed the +itnesses.

-.

R($%on .or /o'"t"!$' &"''"n0%.

:en. Ba&on admitted that T() sti"" annot e,!"ain the reason for the in rease in !o"iti a" ki""ings. Thus# T() fe"" short of its o$3e tive to 8esta$"ish +ho is res!onsi$"e for the ki""ings9 and to determine +hether there is a !attern of seria"i&ed ki""ings vi timi&ing "eftist a tivist and 3ourna"ist.9 2 /.1 :en. Ba&on refused to attri$ute the u!surge of !o"iti a"

ki""ings to the *resident7s de "aration of an a"" out +ar against the ommunist insurgents.

Id. on p. 18

re!ort fina" sig

E /.2 4ut he +as 'ui k to sa% that their re ords sho+ that the

ki""ings are the resu"t of C**2N*A9 o+n !urging $e ause of 8finan ia" o!!ortunism.9 :en. Ba&on admitted that he agrees +ith the statement of :en. *a"!aran that organi&ations su h as 0ara!atan and 4a%an <una are 8fronts9 of the C**1N*A# and that un"ess 8+e sto! foo"ing ourse"ves that the% are not fronts# +e +i"" not $e a$"e to so"ve the insurgen % !ro$"em.9 @e further asserted that the N>( and 4a%an <una !rovide su!!ort# mone%# resour es# and "ega" assistan e to the C**2N*A. @o+ever# +hen asked $% Chairman <e"o +hether T() has data on +hom among those ki""ed +ere finan e offi ers# :en. Ba&on ou"d !oint to on"% t+o vi tims +ho +ere a""eged"% invo"ved in finan ia" o!erations.

1. TFU d"d not "n)(%t"0$t( G(n. P$'/$r$n2 nor *$% 3( $%&(d to $!!o nt .or 3"% %t$t(+(nt%.

5.1

Not+ithstanding the +ides!read re!orts that :en. *a"!aran

had $een sus!e ted of $eing invo"ved in the e,tra3udi ia" ki""ing of "eftist a tivists# T() never summoned :en. *a"!aran for 'uestioning or investigation. :en. Ba&on made it "ear that :en. *a"!aran is not under the 3urisdi tion of the *N* or Task (or e )sig. <oreover# he stated that there +as sti"" no $asis2eviden e to summon or investigate a !ersona"it% su h as :en. *a"!aran. The *N* needs to o!erate +ithin the "a+. @en e# it needs eviden e $efore it an investigate offi ers. Att%. 6in"uan !ointed out# ho+ever# that the !ur!ose of investigation is !re ise"% to gather eviden e. *N* does not need eviden e $efore it an investigate :en. *a"!aran 5.2 :en. Ba&on testified that T() did not ask the >e!ut%

Om$udsman for the <i"itar% to "ook into the a""eged vio"ations of :en. *a"!aran and the mi"itar%. @o+ever# he su!!osed"% asked the head of

re!ort fina" sig

10 the A(* to "ook into the !arti i!ation of the mi"itar% in the ki""ings. Att%. 6in"uan asked for o!ies of su h "etter1re'uest.

4.

Co++$nd r(%/on%"5"'"t6

T() did not investigate higher1ranking mi"itar% offi ia"s. :en. Ba&on "aimed that the *N* annot go further than the sus!e t. .f the 5ergeant remains si"ent or refuses or fai"s to !oint to the invo"vement of a su!erior offi er# the *N* annot go higher. T() !ointed out that mi"itar% o!erations are $e%ond the s o!e of the T(). 5in e the mi"itar% mi"itar% !ersonne". 7. P(r%on$' o/"n"on ondu ts its o+n o!erations. T() investigated on"% four

Hhen asked $% Chairman <e"o +hether he +ou"d have summoned :en. *a"!aran if the "atter +ere under his ommand# :en. Ba&on re!"ied that he +ou"d have immediate"% a""ed :en. *a"!aran 8to e,!"ain +h% there +as an a!!arent in rease in the in identKsL in the areas +here he +as assigned.9 - 4ut :en. Ba&on a"so said that :en. *a"!aran +i"" not in riminate himse"f. 8. To ki""ingsF J.1 J.2 J.C"oser o""a$oration of "a+ enfor ement2!rose ution R(!o++(nd$t"on% o. TFU on "ude his testimon%# :enera" Ba&on made the fo""o+ing

re ommendations for the su essfu" investigation and !revention of future

+ithout sa rifi ing their im!artia"it%G (aster issuan e of +arrants of arrestsG C,!edite ondu t of !re"iminar% investigationsG

!S", September 12, 2006, p. 0# 1

re!ort fina" sig

11 J./ 5trengthen Hitness *rote tion *rogram# in rease $udget to

!rovide e onomi o!!ortunities for fami"ies.

B.

AFP $%ie& o& 'ta&& Gen. (er)ogenes *speron+ 1. O/(n"n0 St$t(+(nt9 AFP Po'"!6 $nd Pr$!t"!(

:en. Cs!eron stern"% de "ared that the A(* does not ondone or em!"o% summar% e,e utions as a matter of !o"i % and !ra ti e. Neither does it to"erate a$uses# rimes# or summar% e,e utions. The A(* is a !rofessiona" institution# +hi h does not engage in summar% e,e utions. The A(*# in fa t# o!erates on the $asis of the Constitution and thus ho"ds the va"ue of human "ife to the highest degree. 5evera" !u$"i ations/ have $een made to edu ate A(*7s so"diersF a. A(* 5tanding Bu"es of Cngagement $. *rote tion of Non1Com$atants in the *hi"i!!ines . The *hi"i!!ine Arm% 5o"diers7 @and$ook on @uman Bights and .nternationa" @umanitarian Aa+ d. *rimer on the Com!rehensive Agreement on the Bestri t for @uman Bights and .nternationa" @umanitarian Aa+ e. Bu"es of 4ehavior on Com$at f. Aove of Countr%2*agmamaha" sa 4a%an g. Code of Cthi s :en. Cs!eron further said that it is unfair to "ink the A(* to a"" !o"iti a" ki""ings 3ust $e ause the !o"iti a" in "ination of the vi tims is to+ard the "eft. @e stated that the A(* has $een stereot%!ed as the !er!etrator of the e,tra13udi ia" ki""ings of 3ourna"ists and mi"itants. 5u$3e ting the A(* to a tria" $% !u$"i it% is a modus-operandi $% the C**1N*A.5 @o+ever# :en. Cs!eron refused to ategori a""% state that the A(* has a$so"ute"% nothing to do +ith the ki""ings of a tivists# as su h statement might $e too !resum!tuous. 6

$ (

Gen. %speron furnished the Commission &ith 'opies of the enumerated publi'ations. TSN, September 1$, 2006, pp. 6-7 6 TSN, 5e!tem$er 1J# 2006, p. 3.

re!ort fina" sig

12 #. R($!t"on to G(n. :o)"to P$'/$r$n;% St$t(+(nt <Bayan" ,arapatan" Anak ng Bayan are all &ront organi!ations o& t%e $PP-NPA .it% Bayan /una as t%e u)brella organi!ation=. :en. Cs!eron agreed that there is truth to the said statement. @e "aimed that the C**1N*A uses as a shie"d the Nationa" >emo rati (ront (N>()# +hi h is an aggru!ation of "ega" organi&ations that are infi"trated +ith mem$ers of the C**1N*A. (or e,am!"e# Bayan Muna# +hi"e $eing a "ega" organi&ation has These mem$ers are e"ements that are a"so mem$ers of the C**1N*A.

onvenient"% hiding under a "ega" organi&ation to serve the ends of the C**. Therefore# these organi&ations $e ome the front organi&ations of the armed strugg"e of the N*A. Hhat is meant $% the term 8front organi&ations9 is that man% mem$ers of the "ega" organi&ation are identified mem$ers of the N*A. These mem$ers# +ho are identified +ith the C**1N*A# are foo"ing these ("ega") organi&ations to $e the um$re""a of the C**1N*A and +ork u"timate"%# +itting"% or un+itting"%# for the ause of the C**1N*A.

,.

Pr(%(nt$t"on (nt"t'(d <Kno*"n0 t3( En(+6=

:en. Cs!eron onfirmed the e,isten e of an A(* 4riefing !resentation entit"ed 80no+ing the Cnem%9 +hi h e,!"i it"% a uses !rogressive "eftist organi&ations of $eing front organi&ations of the C**1N*A.

-.

AFP !on%"d(r% t3( CPP-NPA $% <(n(+6 o. t3( %t$t(=

The C**1N*A is treated as an enem% of the state $e ause the *hi"i!!ines is a demo rati state. The C**1N*A +ants to su!!"ant our demo rati +a% of "ife +ith a ommunist ideo"og%.7 @o+ever# :en. Cs!eron +as 'ui k to "arif% that it does not fo""o+ that the A(* simi"ar"% treats some "eft1+ing organi&ations (+hi h are onsidered front organi&ations of the C**1N*A) as enemies of the state $e ause these are "ega" organi&ations and serve a fun tion in a demo rati +a% of "ife. @e added that :en. *a"!aran7s statement that Congressmen 5atur O am!o and Tedd%

TSN, 5e!tem$er 1/# 2006, !. 11

re!ort fina" sig

1CasiMo are 8enemies of the state9 might have $een !rom!ted $% the fa t that the former +as a kno+n mem$er of the C**.J

1. R($!t"on to G(n. P$'/$r$n;% %t$t(+(nt2 <*ven t%oug% t%ey are in govern)ent" as $ongress representatives" no )atter .%at appearance t%ey take" t%ey are still ene)ies o& t%e 'tate=2 $% r(/ort(d "n t3( P3"'"//"n( D$"'6 In> "r(r2 M$6 142 #004 "%% (. :en. Cs!eron said he has not $een given a manus ri!t that ontained the said statement. @e added that there ou"d $e truth to the matter in "ight of a narration made $% a ertain <r. *iedad# a former N*A Commander and a +itness to the mass graves in .nu!akan# Ae%te. A ording to <r. *iedad# the orders for the mass ki""ings ame from N*A !ersona"ities +hi h are kno+n in the fi"ed as 0a :res# ?oma 5ison# 0a Aouie and 0a 5atur. .n another in ident at Aurora# a "etter +as un overed +hi h mentions the name 80a 5atur9 as res!onsi$"e for the !ur hase of (ive <i""ion *esos (*5#000#000.00) +orth of e,!"osives. Though the rea" identit% of 80a 5atur9 is unkno+n# it seems to $e a !o!u"ar name in the underground. *a"!aran7s statements.E Thus# this ou"d $e the $asis for :en.

4. Lo!$' Co++ n"%t Mo)(+(nt ?LCM@- In.' (n!(d )(r% % LCMIn."'tr$t(d ?$% 5$%(d on $n AFP '(!t r(@ .ndi ators of an AC<1.nf"uen ed organi&ationF 1. 2. -. /. 5. reated or esta$"ished $% the C**1N*A1N>( and other fa tions of the AC<G under the inf"uen e of a nationa" demo rati underground mass organi&ation of the C** or its ounter!art in the rea tionist fa tionG ada!ts the N>( t+e"ve !oint !rogram of the a tions and simi"ar !rograms of the other AC< fa tionG a tive"% invo"ved in mu"ti1se tora" ra""ies# +herein issues raised are $e%ond the traditiona" interest of the !arti u"ar so iet% it re!resentsG radi a" and vio"ent in the ondu t of mass !rotest a tion.

A se tora" organi&ation is "assified as a AC<1.nfi"trated if it satisfies an% t+o of the fo""o+ing indi atorsF
J

Id at !. 12 Id. at p. 1 .

re!ort fina" sig

1/ 1. 2. -. /. 5. Not ategori&ed as AC<1.nf"uen ed $ut is a tive"% invo"ved in !art%1"ist a tivitiesG )nder the inf"uen e of a nationa" demo rati underground mass organi&ation of the C** or its ounter!art in the rea tionist fa tionG its aims# o$3e tives# !o"i ies and2or !ronoun ements are simi"ar to the !o"iti a" "ines e,!ounded $% the AC<G A tivities are simi"ar or om!"imentar% to those of the AC<G <aintains a "ose re"ationshi! +ith sus!e ted AC< !ersona"ities and2or organi&ations.

:en. Cs!eron denied kno+ing the sour e of the "e ture. @o+ever# he said that those are +a%s that ou"d $e used in "assif%ing organi&ations. The stru ture of the C**1N*A1N>( is as fo""o+sF The C** is the $rainG the N*A is the armed grou!G and the N>( is the shie"d. The N>( is om!osed of "ega" organi&ations that ma% have $een infi"trated $% the C** and N*A.

7. Pr(%"d(nt Arro6o;% ord(r to *$0( $n $''-o t *$r $0$"n%t t3( CPPNPA $% $ !$ %( .or t3( r"%( "n $!t")"%t &"''"n0% :en. Cs!eron e,!"ained that an 8a""1out +ar9 means +aging a ho"isti +ar. The strength of the mi"itar% +i"" $ear do+n u!on the enem% and at the same time# the various government agen ies shou"d a"so ontri$ute in so"ving the root auses of insurgen % su h as !overt% and in3usti e. The rise of a tivist ki""ings has nothing to do +ith the mar hing orders of the *resident. The A(* is urrent"% de!"o%ing for es to address the armed threat. At the same time# it is a"so im!"ementing !ro3e ts# a""ed 0a"a%aan 4aranga% *rogram# +hi h $rings in sma""1s a"e deve"o!ment to 600 $aranga%s nation+ide. !rogram invo"ves infrastru ture deve"o!ment# da% are# et . The

8. On( o. t3( 5$%"! %tr$t(0"(% o. t3( tot$' *$r "% to n( tr$'"A( t3( '($d(r%3"/ o. t3( Co++ n"%t T(rror"%t Mo)(+(nt ?CTM@ or t3( Lo!$' Co++ n"%t Mo)(+(nt ?LCM@

re!ort fina" sig

15 :en. Cs!eron e,!"ained that the A(* aims to neutra"i&e the "eaders of the gueri""a front# +ho are bona fide mem$ers of the N*A as eviden ed $% a!tured do uments.10

B.

For("0n S //ort .or CPP-NPA

:en. Cs!eron manifested that the A(* has 8 a!tured9 severa" do uments +hi h !rove that the C**1N*A had $een re eiving su!!ort from foreign organi&ations. (urther# the !ur!ose of ?ose <aria 5ison and Auis ?a"andoni for $eing out of the ountr% is to get su!!ort from outside the ountr% for the "o a" ommunist movement.11 :en. Cs!eron re!orted# ho+ever# that sin e the C**1N*A has $een "assified as a foreign terrorist organi&ation $% the )nited 5tates and the Curo!ean )nion# mu h of their foreign funding has dried u!.

10.

In)(%t"0$t"n0 (n!o nt(r% 5(t*((n t3( AFP $nd t3( CPP-NPA om$at

Hhen asked if the A(* has investigated ki""ings during

en ounters# :en. Cs!eron mentioned that a"" en ounters are treated as a s ene of rime and is ondu ted $% the s ene of rime o!erations (85OCO9)# +hi h is a 3oint undertaking of the A(* and the *N*. !artner in ounter1insurgen %. @o+ever# it has no forma" organi&ation. )nder C,e utive Order No. 5/6# the *N* has $e ome an e'ua"

11.

Pro!(d r( .or !o+/'$"nt% ."'(d

Hhen asked a$out the A(*7s investigations into ki""ings# :enera" Cs!eron stated that $efore an investigation an ommen e# a om!"aint must first $e fi"ed. (rom the %ears 2000 to 2006# a tota" of 770 Com!"aints om!"aints +ere investigated. ome from the Commission on @uman Bights# the vi tims

themse"ves# foreign or non1governmenta" organi&ations# the >e!artment of

10 11

Id. at pp. 0# 1. Id. at p. 1.

re!ort fina" sig

16 (oreign Affairs# or the 3oint1monitoring ommittee. Thereafter# the re!ort of the investigation +i"" $e su$mitted to the :enera" @ead'uarters.12 @o+ever# :en. Cs!eron added that a"though the A(* entertains the om!"aints fi"ed# it is the *N* +hi h is the rightfu" or orre t agen % to !ro eed +ith the rimina" investigation# +ith the A(* sim!"% oo!erating +ith the *N* $% giving in!uts and making its !ersonne" avai"a$"e for investigation.

1#.

L"%t o. NPA )"!t"+%1-

To em!hasi&e his !oint that the C**1N*A is the !art% to $"ame for the a tivist and media ki""ings# :enera" Cs!eron stated that A(* re ords sho+ that a tota" of 1#227 !ersons have $een "i'uidated $% the N*A. Out of the 1#227# -J/ +ere A(* and *N* offi ers or !ersonne" +hi"e J/- +ere ivi"ians. .nteresting"%# in the "ist of "i'uidated ivi"ians# eight (J) of them +ere a"so kno+n to $e mem$ers of the grou! 0ara!atan.1/

1,.

R(/ort o. T$%& For!( U%"0

.n the Be!ort# a tota" of 111 mi"itants +ere s"ain# si, of +hom +ere s"ain $% mi"itar% e"ements (2 mi"itar%# 1 CA(:)# - mi"itar% assets) and 10 other ases +ere a""eged"% "inked to the mi"itar%. referred to the A(* for investigation.15 :en. Cs!eron re"a%ed his onversation +ith :en. Ba&on +herein the "atter mentioned that 15 ases +ere !er!etrated $% the N*A. @o+ever# these ases have not $een

1-.

<Ang Tala=

12 1

Id. at pp. $# (. * list of the +i'tims &as furnished the Commission. 1/ TSN, 5e!tem$er 1/# 2006# !!. -61-7. 15 The Commission forma""% referred the ases to the A(* for investigation. TSN, 5e!tem$er 1J# 2006# !!. 516.
re!ort fina" sig

17 8Ang Tala9 is an offi ia" !u$"i ation of the A(* +hi h is !u$"ished $% the Civi" Be"ations 5ervi e. The maga&ine ma% ontain arti "es that do not ref"e t the offi ia" !osition of the A(*. :en. Cs!eron admitted having heard a$out the 2002 arti "e +ritten $% Co". ?ohn 4onatus +hi h "amed that the N>( formed Bayan Muna and that its gro+ing inf"uen e in the e"e tora" and !ar"iamentar% arena is a nationa" se urit% !ro$"em. @o+ever# he said that he ou"d not omment thereon as he has not read it. 11. AFP In)(%t"0$t"on o. G(n. :o)"to P$'/$r$n

.t +as noted that there +as an in rease in a tivist ki""ings in the areas +here :en. *a"!aran +as assigned. Thus# it earned him the moniker 84ut her 8 or 84erdugo.916 :en. Cs!eron said that an interna" investigation +as ondu ted $% the A(*. @o+ever# no forma" investigation +as ondu ted sin e no forma" The interna" investigations om!"aints +ere fi"ed against :en. *a"!aran.

ondu ted +ere informa" in nature and thus# no re ords +ere ke!t.17 <oreover# +hen the re!orts ame out in the media# Task (or e )sig +as a"read% organi&ed. Thus# the A(* deemed it more a!!ro!riate to "et the task for e ondu t an% investigation "est the A(* $e a used of +hite+ashing the matter. 1J Additiona""%# :en. Cs!eron said that to investigate :en. *a"!aran during the time +hen he +as neutra"i&ing the N*A +ou"d have $een authorit% to investigate if an% of its offi ers has vio"ated o!eration. :en. Cs!eron added that the A(* has ounter1 !rodu tive.1E A"though :en. Cs!eron admitted that the A(* has the !o+er and ertain ru"es and regu"ations# su h investigation ma%# ho+ever# mudd"e or o$stru t an% on1going onfiden e in the du"% onstituted investigative $od%.20
16 1,

Id. at p. 12. Id at pp. 1$, 1, - 1). 18 Id at p. 1,. 1) Id at p. 20. 20 Id at pp. 21#22.

re!ort fina" sig

1J

Att%. 6in"uan mentioned an in ident in mem$ers of the mi"itar% and mi"itar% assets.

<indoro +herein Cden ou"d not sa%

<ar e""ana and Cddie :umano% +ere a$du ted $% 20 men $e"ieved to $e :en. Cs!eron +hether an investigation +as ondu ted on the matter# reasoning that he +as stationed in 4asi"an at the time the in ident ha!!ened. 14. R($!t"on on t3( .o''o*"n0 %t$t(+(nt% +$d( 56 G(n. P$'/$r$n9

:enera" Cs!eron +as asked for his rea tion to :enera" *a"!aran7s !u$"i image and statements a!!earing in media re!orts# among +hi h +ere as fo""o+sF Po en ial vigilan e s yle a! ions by an i-!ommunis elemen s ou side "e mili ary organi#a ion !anno be s opped !omple ely and "e $illing of a! ivis s are ne!essary in!iden o !onfli! . I !anno order my soldiers o $ill, i %s "eir &udgmen !all, "ey !an do i on "eir o'n. I en!ourage people vi! imi#ed by !ommunis rebels o ge even. T"e $illings are being a ribu ed o me bu I did no $ill "em, I &us inspire "e rigger men. T"eir ( "ree s uden doing resear!" 'or$ ou side Manila) disappearan!e is good for us bu as o '"o abdu! ed "em 'e don% $no'. :en. Cs!eron refused to ans+er an% 'uestion in re"ation to :en. *a"!aran7s statements# reasoning that :en. *a"!aran himse"f shou"d $e the one to ans+er the same. Chairman <e"o asked :en. Cs!eron if it o urred to him to a"" :en. *a"!aran to e,!"ain his statements. :en. Cs!eron re"ated that he a""ed :en. *a"!aran regarding the three (-) students +ho disa!!eared. investigation $% the Task (or e )sig. :en. *a"!aran denied an% invo"vement and e,!ressed his +i""ingness to su$mit to an% :en. Cs!eron added that he re a""ed a""ing :en. *a"!aran a$out a statement (he forgot +hi h) and the "atter said he +as mis'uoted $% the ne+s!a!er. :en. Cs!eron advised him to $e arefu" +ith his statements.21

21

TSN, 18 September 2006, pp. 2(#26.

re!ort fina" sig

1E :en. Cs!eron said that assuming the a$ove1statements +ere true# those 8are not right +ords that shou"d ome from an offi er.9 @e added that the statements# if true# do not ref"e t +e"" on the A(*# $ut it does not mean that the mi"itar% shou"d $e $"amed for the ki""ings. 22 .t a!!ears that the A(* did not investigate :en. *a"!aran on the matter on the ground that no forma" om!"aint +as "odged. 17. Co++$nd R(%/on%"5"'"t6 on e!t of ommand res!onsi$i"it%# :enera"

Hhen asked a$out his

Cs!eron stated that it means that a ommander is res!onsi$"e for +hat his men do or fai" to do in terms of a om!"ishing the mission. .t does not in "ude rimina" "ia$i"it% of the su!erior if his men or su$ordinates ommit an i""ega" a t that is rimina" in nature. On"% the su$ordinate shou"d $e "ia$"e for the rimina" a t and not the su!erior ommander. The ommander is res!onsi$"e on"% for a ts he authori&ed.2.n re"ation to re!orted a$uses a""eged"% ommitted $% :en. *a"!aran# :en. Cs!eron said that these are on"% a usations and that no om!"aints +ere fi"ed. <oreover# he reiterated that the matter is "eft to $e investigated $% Task (or e )sig and the Commission.

18. A!t"on% t3$t +$6 5( (Ctr$D d"!"$' &"''"n0%

nd(rt$&(n 56 t3( AFP to /r()(nt

Hhen asked +hat the A(* is doing to !revent e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings# :enera" Cs!eron sim!"% mentioned that the A(* has its ru"es on engagement and that the A(* ondu ts ourses +hi h have a modu"e on human rights and there are severa" !u$"i ations to reinfor e A(*7s o$servan e of human rights. Att%. 6in"uan suggested that in order to sto! e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings# the mi"itar% shou"d orre t the im!ression that "eft +ing organi&ations# su h as 4a%an <una# :a$rie"a# and Anak *a+is# are fronts of the C**1N*A.
22 2

:en.

TSN, 18 September 2006, p. 26. Id at pp. 28#2).

re!ort fina" sig

20 Cs!eron ountered that 5atur O am!o shou"d denoun e the N*A. 4% doing so# the A(* +i"" kno+ that !revious mem$ers of the C**1N*A have tru"% severed their re"ations +ith the underground. :enera" Cs!eron# at this !oint# !resented to the Commission o!ies of the fo""o+ing $ooksF N84reaking Through9 $% ?oe" Bo amora ;C,hi$it 8?9 N85uffer Th% Comrades9 $% Bo$ert (ran is :ar ia ; C,hi$it 809 N8The *hi"i!!ine Bevo"utionar% <ovement Com$ining Armed and Aega" 5trugg"es9 $% Auis ?a"andoni ; C,hi$it 8A9

1B.

Coord"n$t"on *"t3 T$%& .or!( U%"0

:en. Cs!eron said that A(*7s "a k of oordination +ith Task (or e )sig is intentiona" as it did not +ant to inf"uen e the "atter7s re!ort. (urther# oordination $et+een the t+o $odies might $e mis onstrued. @o+ever# :en. Cs!eron added that 3ust the morning he testified# he re'uested :en. Ba&on to furnish the A(* +ith a re!ort so that it an $e used as a $asis for its o+n a tions. @e said that is it !ossi$"e that the eva"uation of Task (or e )sig ma% $e different from the eva"uation of the A(*. @o+ever# in the end# it +i"" $e the ourts +hi h +i"" de ide shou"d ases $e fi"ed.

#0. AFP;% 0o$' o. 5($t"n0 t3( NPA 56 #010 $% r(/ort(d "n t3( P3"'"//"n( St$r

:en. Cs!eron de "ined to dis uss the o!erationa" detai"s on ho+ to defeat the N*A. @o+ever# he said that A(* +i"" give deve"o!menta" a tivities to ommunities and tr% to +in the hearts and minds of the !eo!"e simi"ar to the ase of 4oho". :en. Cs!eron e,!"ained that due to the efforts of the mi"itar%# 4oho" is no+ free of roaming N*As and has $e ome a tourist s!ot. @e added that the !eo!"e of 4oho" "ike :en. *a"!aran.2/

#1.

S ++$r6/Not$5'( M$tt(r%9

2$

Id at p. $ .

re!ort fina" sig

21

a.

The A(* did not

ondu t an% forma" investigation of

sus!e ts# $ut admits a rise in re!orted ki""ings. $. :enera" Cs!eron is onvin ed that the re ent a tivist and

3ourna"ist ki""ings +ere arried out $% the C**1N*A as !art of a 8!urge.9 Ca!tured do uments su!!osed"% !rove this. The fu"" ontents or a o!% of the do uments# ho+ever# +ere not !resented to the Commission. . Aike+ise# :enera" Cs!eron +as firm in his !osition that the

vi tims +ere mem$ers of the C**2N*A and that the a tivist organi&ations# +hi"e "ega"# are infi"trated $% the C**1N*A. @e stated that these organi&ations are $eing mani!u"ated $% the N*A. d. :en. Cs!eron admitted re eiving re!orts a$out *a"!aran

$eing sus!e ted of ondu ting e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings# $eing a""ed 4erdugo# et . $ut he attri$uted this to !ro!aganda of C**2N*A. e. :enera" Cs!eron admitted that no forma" investigation +as

ondu ted $% the A(* on :enera" *a"!aran# sim!"% $e ause no om!"aint +as fi"ed. @e mentioned that he mere"% a""ed :enera" *a"!aran on his e""!hone and did not go $e%ond the "atter7s denia"s.

$.

/a0. Gen. #ovito '. Palparan+ 1. Introd !t"on

<a3. :en. ?ovito 5. *a"!aran served in the Armed (or es of the *hi"i!!ines for thirt%1three (--) %ears $efore his retirement on 5e!tem$er 11# 2006. @e +as invited $% the Commission to shed "ight on the heightened num$er of e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings of media +orkers and !o"iti a" a tivists that trans!ired in the various !osts to +hi h he +as assigned in "uding# $ut not "imited to# the fo""o+ingF Commanding :enera" 1 7th .nfantr% >ivision# Centra" Au&on 5e!tem$er 2005 ; 5e!tem$er 2006

re!ort fina" sig

22 Commanding :enera" 1 4rigade Commander 1 Jth .nfantr% >ivision# Castern 6isa%as (e$ruar% 2005 ; August 2006 2nd .nfantr% >ivision# <indoro <a% 2001 ; A!ri" 200-

#.

Pro/$0$nd$ W$r

>uring :en. *a"!aran7s assignment in <indoro and Castern 6isa%as# the !eo!"e in the said areas gave him ertain disa!!roving monikers su h as 8 "e Bu !"er#9 8Berdugo ng Mindoro9 and 8Berdugo ng Samar9 in the onte,t of the ram!ant e,tra3udi ia" e,e utions of "eft1+ing a tivists during his assignment. Hhen asked a$out ho+ he earned these ni knames# :en. *a"!aran ans+ered that it +as the mi"itants and the C**1N*A that gave him the ni knames as a !art of their so1 a""ed 8!ro!aganda +ar.9 @e stressed that even $efore his arriva" in the areas to +hi h he +as assigned# there +ere a"read% man% ki""ings of $oth mi"itants and non1mi"itants. :en. *a"!aran further stated that the ki""ings that trans!ired during his assignment +ere mere"% high"ighted as a form of $"a k !ro!aganda to dis redit his efforts in the area. 25 ,. Or0$n"A$t"on%/P$rt6 L"%t R(/r(%(nt$t")(% $% % //ort %6%t(+% o. t3( CPP-NPAE En(+"(% o. t3( St$t(

:en. *a"!aran stated that

ertain Organi&ations and *art% Aist

Be!resentatives a t as su!!ort s%stems !roviding materia"s and she"ter for the C**1N*A. @o+ever# +hen asked to name these organi&ations# :en. *a"!aran de "ined to mention them !u$"i "% $ut on"% agreed to dis "ose the names of these organi&ations in a "osed1door session.26 Hhen asked a$out his !revious statements a using !art% "ist organi&ations su h as 4a%an# 0ara!atan# :a$rie"a# and Anak 4a%an as front organi&ations of the C**1N*A +ith 4a%an <una as the um$re""a organi&ation#
2(

TSN# September 26, 2006 !ages /# 2EG see a"so 8Ma&or *eneral +ovi o Palparan,- -oming To A To'n Near .ouO9 1 A essi$"e at htt!F22tornandfra%ed.t%!e!ad. om2tornandfra%ed220052102ma3Pgenera"
P3ov.htm"
26

Id. at p. 8.

re!ort fina" sig

2:en. *a"!aran neither onfirmed nor denied having made these statements. 27 )!on further 'uestioning# ho+ever# :en. *a"!aran said that he $ased this information on video "i!!ings of C** Chairman ?oma 5ison naming ertain 8Nationa" >emo rati (ront Organi&ations9 as the su!!ort s%stems of the C** N*A.2J :en. *a"!aran affirmed his ear"ier statement made $efore the Court of A!!ea"s +herein he said that these seeming"% "egitimate and ordinar% organi&ations are a tua""% enemies of the state. @e made an e, e!tion# ho+ever# +ith res!e t to mem$ers of these organi&ations +ho ma% not rea""% $e enemies of the state $ut are organi&ations.2E .n an intervie+ $% *ia @ontiveros and Ton% 6e"as'ue& on the T6 *rogram 8Top S ory#9 :en. *a"!aran +as asked +h% he onsidered organi&ations "ike 4a%an <una as fronts for the N*A. .n res!onse thereto# :en. *a"!aran said 8Q a lo of "e members are a! ually involved in a ro!i ies and !rimes Q9 Hhen asked +hat eviden e he had to su!!ort this a""egation# he said that he had no eviden e# $ut that 8"e !ould feel i .9 At the Commission hearing# ho+ever# :en. *a"!aran said that there are +itnesses +ho are former mem$ers of these organi&ations that have severed their mem$ershi! +ho an attest to this.-0 These +itnesses or their statements +ere not !resented to the Commission. :en. *a"!aran a"so stressed that 8a "ot of mem$ers9 and not a"" mem$ers are invo"ved in atro ities and rimes.-1 onsidered as su h due to their mem$ershi! in these

-. G(n. P$'/$r$n;% St$t(+(nt% "+/'"!$t"n0 %/(!"."! P$rt6 L"%t Or0$n"A$t"on% :en. *a"!aran +as re!orted to have made the fo""o+ing statements $efore the media im!"i ating s!e ifi *art% Aist Organi&ations su h as 4a%an# 0ara!atan# :a$rie"a# and Anak 4a%an as fronts for the N*A# to +itF

2, 28

Id. at p. 10. Id. at p. ). 2) Id. at pp. 8#). 0 Id. 1 Id. at p. 11.

re!ort fina" sig

2/ 8/ven "oug" "ey are in *overnmen as Par y 0is 1epresen a ives, no ma er '"a appearan!e "ey a$e, "ey are s ill /nemies of "e S a e.9 (<a% 16# 2006# *hi"i!!ine >ai"% .n'uirer)-2 8T"e Par y 0is Members of -ongress are doing "ings o fur "er "e revolu ion, "e !ommunis movemen 2 I 'is" "ey 'ere no "ere29 (.ntervie+ +ith *ia @ontiveros and Ton% 6e"as'ue& 11 To! 5tor%)-8I is my belief "a "ese members of par y lis in -ongress are providing "e day- o-day poli!ies of "e rebel movemen 9 ((e$ruar% -# 2006# (ren h *ress Agen %)-/ Hhen asked to onfirm during the Commission hearing +hether or not he made these statements $efore the media# :en. *a"!aran on"% onfirmed the statement given in 8Top S ory.9 Hith res!e t to the others# he sim!"% evaded the issue $% sa%ing that he +as not sure or that he ou"d not re a"" making the statements.-5 Hhen asked to name +hi h organi&ations he +as referring to as enemies of the state# :en. *a"!aran res!onded 8Q I &us 'an o be general, I &us don% 'an o spe!ify Q9-6 >uring the "atter !art of his testimon%# ho+ever# +hen he +as $eing 'uestioned $% Chief 5tate *rose utor RuMo# :en. *a"!aran s!e ifi a""% named 4a%an <una as a re ruitment agen % of the C** N*A in <indoro# to +itF

Q in "e !ourse of our opera ion, "ere 'ere some repor s "a "a BA.AN M3NA "ead4uar ers a "e ime in Mindoro 'as used as a "ideou of "e armed group. And as I said, a re!rui men agen!y be!ause "ey re!rui young people "ere as members of some organi#a ions "en even ually go up in "e moun ain. And "en, "ere 'ere "ose '"o surrendered o us !onfirming "isQ -7

1.

G(n. P$'/$r$n;% )"(* on t3( r(/($' o. t3( Ant"-S 5)(r%"on A!t

:en. *a"!aran reiterated his vie+ that the re!ea" of the Be!u$"i A t No. 1700 (the Anti 5u$version A t) +as a mistake and a""ed for the reintrodu tion of "egis"ation that +ou"d rimina"i&e mem$ershi! in the C** and s%m!atheti
Id. at p. 1$. Id. $ Id. at pp.1$#1(. ( Id. at pp. 1 #1(. 6 Id. at p. 1 . , Id. at p. 61.
2

re!ort fina" sig

25 organi&ations.-J The fo""o+ing statements of :en. *a"!aran +ere re!orted in onne tion there+ithF I 'an !ommunism o ally erased.(<a% 21# 2006# *hi"i!!ine

5tar)

-E

Q o 'age "e ongoing !oun erinsurgen!y25 by 6neu rali#ing6 no &us armed rebels bu also a 'eb of alleged fron organi#a ions "a in!lude lef is poli i!al par ies, "uman-rig" s and 'omen7s organi#a ions, even la'yers and members of "e !lergy. (8Hagging the 4uffa"o91 5e!tem$er 25# 2006# Ne+s+eek)/0 Hhen asked a$out his statements# :en. *a"!aran on"% !ertain to !h%si a" e"imination and armed onfirmed having

uttered them $ut 'ua"ified the term 8neutra"i&ation9 $% stating that it does not onfrontation $ut a"so $% !romoting dia"ogues and ourting !eo!"e to su!!ort the A(*./1

4.

Int(rn$' T(rr"tor"$' D(.(n%( S6%t(+

.n the Ne+s+eek arti "e entit"ed 88agging "e Buffalo#9 the fo""o+ing +as a"so mentionedF In "e -en ral 0u#on provin!e of Nueva /!i&a, Palparan7s an i!ommunis s ra egy is o engage lo!als, ga "er in elligen!e and iden ify ou side agi a ors. Small mili ary eams blo!$ a!!ess o so-!alled mili an s represen ing poli i!al par ies li$e Bayan Muna and A$bayan, '"i!" Palparan !onsiders 6a differen fa!e of 9!ommunis : poli i!al 'arfare "a 7s no "eal "y for our demo!ra!y.6 T"e goal, "e says, is o neu rali#e rebel a! ivi ies by empo'ering "e 6silen ma&ori y.6 To "a end, "e mili ary is !rea ing village-level mili ia o $eep rebels and a! ivis s ou af er soldiers depar . Hhen :en. *a"!aran +as asked a$out the a ura % of the re!ort# he initia""% refused to omment on it./2 )!on further 'uestioning# ho+ever# he 'ua"ified some of the !oints raised thereinF

6.1

Cm!o+ering the 5i"ent <a3orit%

Id. at p. 1,. Id. $0 Id. at p. 18G 5ee a"so a o!% of the arti "e 88agging "e Buffalo9 $1 Id. at p. 1). $2 Id. at p. 20.
8 )

re!ort fina" sig

26 :en. *a"!aran said that the greater ma3orit% of the !eo!"e are usua""% threatened $% a sma"" grou! of $ad e"ements# the C**1N*A. The ma3orit% shou"d $e em!o+ered to 8defend themse"ves if the% are atta ked or !ro!agandi&ed9 even $% fighting# if ne essar%./-

6.2

6i""age1Aeve" <i"itia

:en. *a"!aran said that the term 8vi""age1"eve" mi"itia9 is not a urate $e ause a ording to him# the orre t term is 8.nterna" Territoria" >efense 5%stem9 or 84aranga% >efense 5%stem.9 e,!"ained that on e the A(* "eaves after @e "earing an area from

enem% inf"uen e# the residents of that area shou"d $e en ouraged to organi&e as a grou! in order to defend themse"ves from intruders.//

6.-

Corre"ation $et+een >efense 5%stem and es a"ated ki""ings

.n an arti "e entit"ed 8Palparan, I /n!ouraged -ivilians o ;ig" Ba!$9 !u$"ished in the August 22# 2006 issue of <ani"a 5tandard Toda%# :en. *a"!aran +as re!orted to have admitted that +herever he +as assigned# the ki""ings es a"ated. Hhen initia""% asked a$out the vera it% of the arti "e# :en. *a"!aran denied the a ura % of the statement. After further 'uestioning# ho+ever# he 'ua"ified the statement $% sa%ing that the ki""ings +ere a"read% ram!ant $efore his arriva". Thereafter# the in idents of ki""ings +ou"d in rease during the start of his am!aign for a !eriod of a$out five to si, +eeks and then after+ards# there is a drasti redu tion in the num$er of ki""ings./5

7. S/(!"."! "n> "r"(% on (%!$'$t(d n +5(r o. (Ctr$D d"!"$' &"''"n0% d r"n0 G(n. P$'/$r$n;% To r% O. D t6 :en. *a"!aran +as asked to onfirm the ontents of "ists of vi tims of e,tra3udi ia" e,e utions during his tours of dut% in <indoro (-5 ki""ings)# Castern 6isa%as (22 ki""ings) and Centra" Au&on (75 ki""ings) $ut he refused to onfirm or
Id. at p. 21. Id. at p.22. $( Id. at pp. 2(#26.
$ $$

re!ort fina" sig

27 den% the a ura % of the said "ists $e ause he said he did not have an% kno+"edge of these fa ts. <oreover# :en. *a"!aran refused to give reden e to the said "ists $e ause the% +ere !re!ared $% 0ara!atan.

8. K"''"n0%

Co''$t(r$' D$+$0(E C")"'"$n% $nd Lo!$' O.."!"$'%E V"0"'$nt(

>uring the ourse of his testimon%# :en. *a"!aran onfirmed making the fo""o+ing statementsF J.1 Civi"ians 0i""ed in Crossfire

My order o my soldiers is "a , if "ey are !er ain "a "ere are armed rebels in "e "ouse or yard, s"oo "em. I 'ill &us be oo bad if !ivilians are $illed in "e pro!ess. 8e are sorry if you are $illed in "e !rossfire./6 E.2 Co""atera" >amage

T"ere 'ould be some !olla eral damage, bu i 'ill be s"or and olerable. T"e enemy 'ould blo' i up as a massive viola ion of "uman rig" s. Bu o me, i 'ould &us be ne!essary in!iden s./7 J.>eath of Civi"ians and Ao a" Offi ia"s

Sorry nalang $ung may madamay na !ivilian GQ T"e dea " of !ivilians and lo!al offi!ials 'ere <small sa!rifi!es% broug" abou by "e mili ary%s an i-insurgen!y !ampaign. ; *hi"i!!ine >ai"% .n'uirer 12 5e!tem$er 2006 /J J./ 6igi"ante15t%"e Outside the <i"itar%F A tions $% Anti1Communist C"ements

9T:"ey !anno be s opped !omple ely 2 "e $illings, I 'ould say are ne!essary in!iden s in a !onfli! be!ause "ey (referring o "e rebels) are violen . I %s no ne!essary "a "e mili ary alone s"ould be blamed. 8e are armed, of !ourse, and rained o !onfron and !on rol violen!e. Bu o "er people '"ose lives are affe! ed in "ese areas are also par i!ipa ing Q /E :en. *a"!aran# ho+ever# denied having made the fo""o+ing statementsF
Id. at p. 0. Id. $8 Id. at p. . $) Id. at p. $.
$6 $,

re!ort fina" sig

2J

J.5 I en!ourage people vi! imi#ed o ge even.50 (:en. *a"!aran said that he mere"% en ouraged the !eo!"e to defend themse"ves and to fight if ne essar%.) J.6 Nabuo ang alsa masa sa Mindoro nuong duma ing a$o, $umi$ilos ang mga i o sa alanganing oras. May sarili silang pag$ilos. =indi na $ami ma$apa"inga $ung pa i la"a ng pag$ilos nila ay susubaybayan namin. Na$a$a ulong naman sila sa paglaban sa NPA gayon din ang mga $a ulad ng 1=B. J.7 T"e $illings are being a ribu ed o me bu I did no $ill "em, I &us inspired "e riggermen.

B.

R(%/on%"5"'"t6 o. %o'd"(r% nd(r G(n. P$'/$r$n;% !o++$nd

:en. *a"!aran denied the media re!ort 'uoting him to have saidF 8 I !anno order my soldiers o $ill. I %s "eir &udgmen !all. T"ey do i on "eir o'n.9 @e "arified that his orre t +ords +ereF Q per%aps )aybe" i& t%ere are" and i& t%ey do t%at" t%at1s t%eir o.n responsibility" it1s not )ine2951 :en. *a"!aran# ho+ever# admitted uttering the !hraseF Qsome soldiers are emo ional '"en "eir !omrades are "ur or $illed. T"ere !ould be soldiers '"o de!ide o a$e "e la' in o "eir o'n "ands. Bu "a %s illegal.952 (rom the tenor of :en. *a"!aran7s ans+ers# 3( (nt(rt$"n(d t3( /o%%"5"'"t6 t3$t %o+( o. 3"% %o'd"(r% +$6 3$)( 5((n r(%/on%"5'( .or t3( &"''"n0% $'t3o 03 t3(6 *(r( not d"r(!t(d 56 t3("r !o++$nd(r. @o+ever# he stated there is sti"" no !roven in ident "inking an% of his so"diers in an% of the ki""ings.5.n fa t# :en. *a"!aran onfirmed his statement given $efore the @ouse of Be!resentatives7 Committee on Nationa" >efense and 5e urit% on <a% 25# 2005 +herein he saidF 8I !anno !a egori!ally deny "a (referring to the mi"itar% having
Id. at p. (. Id. at p. 2. (2 Id. ( Id. at p. .
(0 (1

re!ort fina" sig

2E s!e ia" units# not !ro!er"% identified in $onnets and masks# o!erating in the midd"e of the night.)95/ :en. *a"!aran# ho+ever# a"so said that if there are fa ts !roving that the% (so"diers) are engaged in su h a tivities# he is +i""ing to su$mit them.55 @e a"so denoun ed an% invo"vement $% the A(* in the a ts that ma% have $een arried out $% individua" so"diers.56

10.

On t3( &"''"n0% o. Mr. Edd"( G +$no6 $nd M%. Ed(n M$r!(''$n$

:en. *a"!aran denied an% invo"vement in the ki""ing of <s. Cden <ar e""ana. 5he +as in the !ro ess of o$3e ting to :en. *a"!aran7s !romotion to 4rigadier :enera" $efore the Commission on A!!ointments. :en. *a"!aran said he +as una+are of the !o"i e re!ort of the in ident stating that mi"itar% !ersonne" +ere invo"ved in the a$du tion and ki""ing of <s. <ar e""ana and that there +as a +itness that identified one of the sus!e ts as a sergeant +orking as an .nte""igen e Offi er +ith the 20/th .nfantr% 4rigade under :en. *a"!aran7s ommand. Hhen 'uestioned further# ho+ever# :en. *a"!aran ontradi ted himse"f and admitted that he had kno+"edge of the in ident $e ause he a om!anied the 5ergeant to the >O? to fi"e his ounter1affidavit.57 >es!ite kno+"edge of the invo"vement of mi"itar% !ersonne" in the ki""ing of Cden <ar e""ana# :en. *a"!aran did not order the investigation of the mi"itar% !ersonne" a""eged"% invo"ved $e ause 8Q "ere 'ere already a number of inves iga ors doing su!" and I don% "ave au "ori y a "a ime ...95J 11. In)(%t"0$t"on 56 t3( Co++"tt(( on C")"'2 Po'"t"!$' $nd F +$n R"03t% o. t3( Fo %( o. R(/r(%(nt$t")(%. :en. *a"!aran refused to omment on the findings and on "usions of the investigation $% the Committee on Civi"# *o"iti a"# and @uman Bights of the @ouse of Be!resentatives +ith res!e t to the human rights vio"ations in the 5outhern Taga"og Begion# !arti u"ar"% in <indoro# !rimari"% $e ause the said ommittee in "udes Be!resentatives 5atur O am!o# Ctang Bosa"es# and Ai&a
Id. at p. $2. Id. at p. $ . (6 Id. at p. $$. (, Id. at p. $,. (8 Id.
($ ((

re!ort fina" sig

-0 <asa +ho are a""eged"% $iased onsidering that the% had ear"ier de "ared :en. *a"!aran as their enem%.5E :en. *a"!aran a"so refused to onfirm the fa t that the A(*7s defense +as that the ki""ings +ere done $% the grou! a""ed 8Alsa Masa.960

1#.

In)(%t"0$t"on o. G(n. P$'/$r$n 56 Pr(%"d(nt"$' T$%& For!(

:en. *a"!aran said that he +as not investigated $% the A(* des!ite the re ommendations of the Committee on Civi"# *o"iti a"# and @uman Bights of the @ouse of Be!resentatives. @e said that he +as on"% investigated $% a *residentia" Task (or e regarding the ki""ings of <r. Cddie :umano% and <s. Cden <ar e""ana.61 A!!arent"%# the said task for e did not ho"d :en. *a"!aran res!onsi$"e for the ki""ings.

1,.

Co++$nd R(%/on%"5"'"t6

:en. *a"!aran denied the on "usion that he did not dis ourage so"diers under his ommand from taking the "a+ into their o+n hands.62 my soldiers o $ill, i is "eir &udgmen !all. T"ey do i on "eir o'n.9 Hith res!e t to the on "usion that :en. *a"!aran did not a tua""% e,ert efforts to !revent or sto! the i""ega" a ts of his so"diers# :en. *a"!aran sim!"% res!onded 8T"ere 'as no illegal a! on my soldiers "a anyone !ould men ion.9 Hhen asked +hether or not he dis ouraged vigi"ante1st%"e ki""ings of a tivists $% !eo!"e or e"ements outside the mi"itar% organi&ation# :en. *a"!aran re!"ied 8I !ould no dis!ourage "em be!ause I do no even $no' "em.96:en. *a"!aran agreed +ith the on e!t under the >o trine of Command Bes!onsi$i"it% that 8responsibili y for summary e>e!u ions or disappearan!e e> ends beyond "e person or persons '"o a! ually !ommi ed "ose a! s. Anyone 'i " "ig"er au "ori y, '"o au "ori#ed, olera ed or ignored "ese a! s are liable for "em.9
Id. at p. (1. Id. at p. (2. 61 Id. at p. ( #($. 62 Id. at p. ($. 6 Id. at p. ((.
() 60

This +as

in onsistent# ho+ever# +ith his ear"ier statement +herein he said 8I !anno order

.n

re!ort fina" sig

-1 onne tion there+ith# ho+ever# he said that his fai"ure to investigate his so"diers a""eged"% res!onsi$"e for some of the ki""ings does not onstitute to"eran e of these a ts $e ause none of his so"diers (e, e!t in t+o ases) +ere identified. Hhen asked a$out his statement given during a forum in 5u"u @ote" on August 21# 2006 8I am responsible (referring o e> ra-&udi!ial $illings), rela ively per"aps#9 G(n. P$'/$r$n %$"d t3$t 3"% $!t"on% !o 'd 3$)( (n!o r$0(d /(o/'( to t$&( t3( '$* "nto t3("r o*n 3$nd% . :en. *a"!aran# ho+ever# 'ua"ified this $% sa%ing it +as not rea""% intentiona" on his !art.6/ Hith res!e t to fai"ing to take ste!s at !reventing these a tions (e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings)# :en *a"!aran statedF Q So if I "ave, 'i "in my !apa!i y o preven i , I 'ould preven "e same. Bu in "e !ourse of our !ampaign, I !ould "ave en!ouraged people o do "a . So maaaring may responsibili y a$o doon, on "a aspe! . Bu "o' !ould I preven "a , 'e are engaged in "is !onfli! . All my a! ua ions really are designed o defea "e enemy. And in doing so, o "ers mig" "ave been en!ouraged o a$e a! ions on "eir o'n... Q '"oever did "is 2 !ould "ave been en!ouraged by my a! ions and a! ua ions in "e !ourse of my !ampaign, '"oever "ey are. T"a is '"y I said rela ively. If "ere are some soldiers, maybe "en, I !ould "ave been remiss in "a aspe! . Bu 'e are doing our bes o $eep our soldiers 'i "in our manda e. 65 1-. CPP-NPA P r0( T3(or6

5ignifi ant"%# ho+ever# +hen asked a$out C**2N*A7s !arti i!ation in the !o"iti a" ki""ings# he testified that the ki""ings are not attri$uta$"e to the a""eged C**2N*A !urge. 8 . don7t harge it to N*A !urge.9 @e a"so mentioned that he had 8to $e ske!ti a" on thKeseL re!ortKsL.966

D.

In&or)ation &ro) t%e $o))ission on (u)an ig%ts

Id. at p. (,. Id. at p. (8. 66 Id. at p. ,2.

6$ 6(

re!ort fina" sig

-2 On O to$er -# 2006# Chair!erson *urifi a ion Duisum$ing of the Commission on @uman Bights (C@B) a!!eared as a resour e !erson and invited mem$ers of the Commission to the C@B and to "ook at their statisti s. .nitia""%# she ver$a"i&ed her dis!"easure +ith the su$!oena issued to the C@B. Hhi"e she re ogni&ed the reation of the Commission $% the *resident# she ho+ever# gave t+o !ro!ositions# vi&F (1) for the Commission to send its resear hers as their re ords are o!en# and (2) have a dia"ogue on mutua" on erns# as a matter of ourtes%. Chairman <e"o e, used the C@B Chair!erson as she had no !ersona" kno+"edge or information of the fa ts +hi h the Commission +as interested in "ooking into# $ut dire ted the :enera" Counse" to oordinate +ith the C@B to se ure the said ne essar% information from the "atter7s re ords.

*.

Task Force /apalad+ &ar)ers bene&iciaries in Negros 3ccidental On Novem$er 27# 2006 in 4a o"od Cit%# the Commission ondu ted a

!ro$e of ki""ings invo"ving mem$ers of Task (or e <a!a"ad (T(<)# a grou! or organi&ation of farmers1$enefi iaries in Negros O identa". T(< *resident Bodito Ange"es !resented severa" +itnesses and do uments re"ative to the ki""ings and +ounding of T(< mem$ers# +ho are $enefi iaries of the agrarian reform !rograms and redistri$ution of "andho"dings in various !arts of Negros O identa". 5ome 250 T(< a""ied farmer1$enefi iaries ((4s) attended the hearing and $rought +ith them !osters and !i tures of fami"% mem$ers +ho died in se!arate in idents. The% "aimed that "ando+ners and their goons are res!onsi$"e for the ki""ings and there is "a k of su!!ort from authorities to arrest sus!e ts and e,!edite a tion on the ases the% fi"ed +hi h are !ending $efore the ourts or !rose ution offi es. Among those !resented +ere +itnesses on the murders of "and reform $enefi iaries <ario >omingo# Teresa <ameng# Hi"fredo Cornea# Bi o Adeva and Boni"o 6as'ue&. Testif%ing in the ."onggo dia"e t# ?inifer Tinero stated that on <a% 17# 2006# armed fo""o+ers of former "ando+ner (ar"e% :usti"o in @a ienda Cam$uktot# Aa Caste""ana# ki""ed <ario >omingo +ho +as insta""ed as farmer $enefi iar%. The ase for murder is !ending $efore the *rovin ia" *rose ution Offi e of Negros O identa".

re!ort fina" sig

--

Nenita Adeva to"d the Commission that on A!ri" 15# 2006 at around /F-0 !.m.# +hi"e she and her hus$and# Bi o Adeva# a T(< organi&er# +ere on their +a% home to @a ienda de (uego ..# 4aranga% 4agti # 5i"a% Cit%# three (-) sus!e ts# name"%# Bona"d Curo!a# a ertain 4o% Negro and an unidentified man# mem$ers of the Bevo"utionar% *ro"etarian Arm% (B*A)# shot her hus$and# Bi o Adeva# ten (10) times# hitting him on his $od% and head. 5he said that Bi o +as shot in her !resen e as she $egged for his "ife. 5he fi"ed a om!"aint for murder $efore the Offi e of the Cit% *rose ution Offi e of 5i"a% Cit%. Ao"ita *ederiso "aimed that on 5e!tem$er -# 200/# se urit% guards of "ando+ner <ario 6i""anueva "ed $% ?uanito 5uriaga# destro%ed the fen e that se!arated the farmers1$enefi iaries in the t+ent%1one (21) he tares a+arded to them under the CAB* Aa+ from 6i""anueva7s "and. 5udden"%# the guards started strafing their houses and the farmers s am!ered for safet%. Car"% ne,t morning# the $od% of Teresa <ameng# a "eader of the agrarian reform $enefi iaries in @a ienda Con hita# 6i""anueva# 4aranga% 5ag1ang# Aa Caste""ana# +as dis overed at the ornfie"d near her house. The murder ase fi"ed against 5uriaga is !ending $efore the Begiona" Tria" Court# 4ran h 6-# Aa Car"ota Cit%. Nenita Cornea testified that on ?une 26# 2006 at around J !.m.# her hus$and# Hi"fredo Cornea# +as ki""ed $% t+o (2) goons +earing masks in @a ienda <u"a+in1Aanatan in 4aranga% *o$"a ion# 5aga% Cit%. One of the sus!e ts +as identified as Amador 6i""a and farm "and administrator ?ose!h Aa son +as "inked to the ki""ing. A om!"aint for murder against Aa son and 6i""a +as fi"ed $efore the Cit% *rose ution Offi e of 5aga% Cit% Aeti ia 6as'ue& to"d the Commission that on (e$ruar% 12# 2001# eight (J) armed goons of :usti"o o!ened fire at T(< AB4s +ho +ere harvesting ro!s in the t+ent%1three (2-) he tares +hi h the% had o u!ied and u"tivated and ki""ed Boni"o 6as'ue& and +ounded three (-) others. A ase for @omi ide is !ending $efore the Begiona" Tria" Court# 4ran h 6-# Aa Car"ota Cit%. The other ases !resented to the Commission in "uded the fo""o+ing# vi&F a) shooting on >e em$er 7# 2002 of ?imm% <ameng and ?onathan *ronete# $oth
re!ort fina" sig

-/ of @a ienda Con hita 6i""anueva# Aa Caste""ana. A ase for frustrated homi ide is !ending $efore the Begiona" Tria" Court# 4ran h 6-# Aa Car"ota Cit%G $) +ounding of Bonito 4o"tron on ?anuar% 5# 200/ in @a ienda <u"a+in1Aanatan# 5aga% Cit%. A ase for frustrated murder is !ending $efore Begiona" Tria" Court# 4ran h 60# 5aga% Cit%G and ) shooting of Cdgardo Caunto% on >e em$er 2E# 200/ in @a ienda Ne"ia1<inaka"a+ in 4aranga% Bi&a" and Ao!e& ?aena $% se urit% guards of "ando+ners. Cases for attem!ted and frustrated murder are !ending $efore the Offi e of the Cit% *rose ution of 5aga% Cit%. Chairman <e"o e,!"ained that the Commission is fo using its attention on agrarian1re"ated ki""ings $e ause it is +ithin its mandate to "ook into an% ase of vio"en e invo"ving media !eo!"e# mi"itants and a tivists and to fast1tra k the investigation of thereof. 5in e the vi tims in these ases are farmer a tivists# the% are +ithin the s o!e of the Commission7s mandate. The mem$ers of the Commission# im!ressed $% the ourage and +i"" to seek 3usti e of the farmer1$enefi iaries# +ho are not in an% +a% anti1government# assured them that the Commission +i"" $ring their on erns $efore the a!!ro!riate government agen ies for the s!eed% reso"ution of their ases. (or his !art# Chief 5tate *rose utor Runo# dire ted the *rovin ia" and Cit% *rose utors of Negros O identa" to hasten the reso"ution of the $enefi iaries. ases invo"ving farmer1

F.

Probe in Davao $ity On >e em$er 11# 2006# the Commission he"d a +ho"e1da% hearing in

>avao Cit% to !ro$e the ki""ing of :eorge and <ari e" 6igo# Cnri o Ca$anit# and @ernando 4aria# +ho +ere "ike+ise invo"ved in agrarian reform efforts and the organi&ation of !easant farmers.

1.

G(or0( $nd M$r"!(' V"0o

re!ort fina" sig

-5 The s!ouses :eorge and <ari e" 6igo +ere +orking for *eo!"e7s 0au%ahan (oundation# .n . 1 a )nited Nations >eve"o!ment *rogramme (8)N>*9) !ro3e t !artner for the u!"iftment of interna""% dis!"a ed !ersons# in "uding !easant farmers. :eorge 6igo "ike+ise had a "o a" A< radio sho+ on erning agrarian reform issues. The s!ouses 6igo +ere gunned do+n in 5ingao# 0ida!a+an Cit%# Coto$ato $% unidentified men on ?une 1E# 2006. <r. 6enan io 4afi"ar# a friend of the s!ouses 6igo testified that $efore he +as gunned do+n# :eorge 6igo onfided to <r. 4afi"ar that he had $een re eiving death threats# and that he +as $eing sus!e ted of authoring# making or other+ise $eing $ehind the !rodu tion of a video re ording ontained in a ertain om!a t dis . This video re ording +as of a ertain 8$"ood"ess9 raid ondu ted $% N*A re$e"s u!on the muni i!a" ha"" and *N* 5tation of <ag!et# Coto$ato. 4afi"ar mentioned that the s!ouses 6igo +ere !o"iti a" su!!orters of Congress+oman Cmm%"ou Ta"iMo15antos and her fa tion# in "uding Ange"ita *e"onio# +ho +as running for ma%or of <ag!et against in um$ent Cfren *iMo". .n fa t# <ari e" 6igo +as +orking in the offi e of Congress+oman Ta"iMo15antos. The Ta"iMos are the !o"iti a" enemies of the *iMo" fa tion# +hi h in "udes Coto$ato :overnor Cmmanue" (. *iMo". Cssentia""%# 4afi"ar7s testimon% insinuates that the murder of the s!ouses 6igo +as !o"iti a" in motivation# and that the !arties res!onsi$"e ome from the am! of the *iMo"s. The s!ouses 6igo +ere a"so in onta t +ith a ertain 0a 4en3ie# a

sus!e ted N*A mem$er# +hom :eorge 6igo intervie+ed a num$er of times in his radio sho+. The 6igos +ere a"so su!!osed"% e%e+itnesses +hen 0a 4en3ie +as summari"% e,e uted $% the mi"itar%. (r. *eter :eremia# an Ameri an !riest +orking for the Tri$a" (i"i!ino *rogram of the >io ese of 0ida!a+an# testified on his kno+"edge a$out the deaths of the s!ouses 6igo. @e mentioned that !rior to and after the death of the 6igos# he +as su$3e ted to survei""an e $% unidentified armed men. :eorge 6igo a"so onfided to (r. :eremia that a mi"itar% asset +arned him (:eorge 6igo) that he +as in the 8"istahan9 of the mi"itar%.
re!ort fina" sig

-6

After the ki""ing of the 6igos# (r. :eremia a"so re eived +ritten death threats that the ki""ing of the 6igos +as a message to him and the Tri$a" (i"i!ino *rogram that the% +ou"d $e ne,t. The +ritten threat more or "ess stated that 8+hoever su!!orts the N*A# death is +hat the% deserve.9 .n one in ident in Co"um$io# Coto$ato# (r. :eremia +as $eing fo""o+ed $% some men# one of +hom sudden"% dre+ his gun. )!on seeing the gun# (r. :eremia7s om!anions rushed him inside a store and "ater asked for he"! from the house of Co"um$io <a%or 4ermude&. <a%or 4ermude&# ho+ever# stated that there +as nothing he ou"d do $e ause# he said# that the gunmen +ere mi"itar%. (r. :eremia a"so testified that in a media !resentation $% Co". ?ohn 4u u of the /0th .4 .nte""igen e )nit# he ((r. :eremia) +as identified as a su!!orter of the N*A ; a fa t +hi h (r. :eremia strong"% denies. .n fa t# (r. :eremia mentions that after onfronting Co". 4u u and "arif%ing that he +as not an N*A su!!orter# the "atter a!o"ogi&ed for the fa"se information the% re eived. @o+ever# (r. :eremia +as informed that his name and those of his staff are sti"" mentioned in interrogations of sus!e ted N*A7s# and that he is sti"" under survei""an e# a"$eit more dis reet"%. (r. :eremia stated that the !ro$a$"e reason +h% he and his o""eagues and staff +ere sus!e ted of $eing N*A su!!orters +as their onstant monitoring of human rights vio"ations and !roviding "ega" assistan e to sus!e ts detained $% the mi"itar%. .n fa t# +ith their aid# some of these sus!e ts fi"ed ounter1 harges against mi"itar% offi ers# su h as <a3or Bu$en Agar io# At. Cduardo <anukan# and Co". Cesar .dio of the 25th .4. (r. :eremia re'uested the Commission and the Nationa" 4ureau of .nvestigation to "ook into the threats against him and his staff# and the reason for the survei""an e on them. A!art from their ora" testimon%# the aforementioned +itnesses a"so !resented their +ritten statements together +ith su!!orting do uments. The affidavits of other +itnesses# name"% :regorio A"ave# <ar% :ra e >inga"# and

re!ort fina" sig

-7 Bea Aigtas# +ere su$mitted to the Commission. >ue to "a k of time# ho+ever# the% +ere no "onger a""ed to de"iver ora" testimon%. :regorio A"ave# the %ounger $rother of <ari e" 6igo# "aimed to have seen a ertain Toto Aman io in the s ene of the rime a fe+ minutes $efore the shooting of the 6igos. Aman io is said to $e a notorious gun1for1hire onne ted +ith !o+erfu" "o a" !o"iti ians +hom A"ave did not identif% $ut insinuated to $e the *iMo"s. >es!ite his information# the Task (or e 6igo reated $% the !rovin ia" government to investigate the 6igo ki""ings a used a ertain >ionisio 8?ek1?ek9 <andanguit as the gunman. A"ave# ho+ever# "aims that this is not !ossi$"e $e ause <adanguit $e"onged to the -Eth .nfantr% 4atta"ion of the *hi"i!!ine Arm% and +as in the om!an% of the C.>: "ong $efore the 6igo ki""ing. #. Enr"!o C$5$n"t

Cnri o Ca$anit +as the hair!erson of the HA>CCOB Cm!"o%ees and Agrarian Beform 4enefi iaries Asso iation# .n . (8HCAB4A.9) and the 5e retar% :enera" of *am$ansang )gna%an ng mga Nagsasari"ing Organisas%on sa 0ana%unan (8)NOB0A1Nationa"9). @e +as assassinated $% an unidentified gunman +earing a $onnet at the !u$"i market of *ana$o Cit%# >avao >e" Norte on A!ri" 2/# 2006. Ca$anit7s daughter. As +itnesses# the Commission a""ed *25enior .nvestigator Hi"fredo Hounded in the in ident +as >affodi" Ca$anit# Cnri o

*uerto and *O- >omingo Banain# +ho investigated the Ca$anit murder. *5. *uerto is the .nte""igen e Offi er of the *ana$o Cit% *o"i e 5tation# +hi"e Banain is the !o"i e investigator on dut% for the Ca$anit murder. The% $oth "aimed that the% a"read% 8so"ved9 the rime and that it +as a ertain Cnri'ue 5o"on +ho +as the gunman. Cnri'ue 5o"on +as su!!osed"% identified !ost mortem $% e%e+itnesses# as he had $een ki""ed in simi"ar fashion in :enera" 5antos Cit% some da%s "ater. Aike+ise# a ertain 4enedi k <a""or a su!!osed"% overheard 5o"on drunken"% $oasting a$out ki""ing Ca$anit.

re!ort fina" sig

-J @o+ever# there are numerous dis re!an ies and sus!i ious detai"s regarding the investigation +hi h tended to dis!rove the !o"i e theor%# there$% !rom!ting the :enera" Counse" to intensive"% ross1e,amine the +itnesses. .n !arti u"ar# the fo""o+ing detai"s +ere sus!i iousF 1 The $od% of Ca$anit +as not auto!sied $efore $uria"# in

vio"ation of standard !ro edure# and des!ite re'uests for auto!s% $% Ca$anit7s fami"%G 1 The su!!osed e%e+itness# <r. B%an Cata"an# never stated in his affidavit that he sa+ the fa e of the assai"ant. @en e# his identifi ation of 5o"on7s $od% as the gunman is unre"ia$"e. 1 5o"on7s $od% and fa e at the time the su!!osed +itnesses identified it +ere severe"% s+o""en (as sho+n in the su$mitted !i ture)# that it +as virtua""% im!ossi$"e to identif% him $ased on his a""eged f"eeting a!!earan e at the rime s ene. 1 of the rime. The !o"i e re!orted that Ca$anit +as shot +ith a Emm @o+ever# the N4. e,!ert +itness stated that# u!on his handgun three times# and that the% re overed Emm artridges at the s ene e,amination# Ca$anit sustained on"% t+o (2) gunshot +ounds and that# due to their diameter# the% ou"d not have $een aused $% a Emm s"ug# $ut on"% $% no "ess than ./5 a"i$er !isto" s"ugs. 1 The !o"i e did not $other to $ring >affodi" Ca$anit to see and identif% 5o"on as the gunman. >affodi" Ca$anit is in the $est !osition to see# des ri$e and identif% her father7s assai"ant. After severa" 'uestions# the !o"i e offi ers stated that the investigation +as sti"" ongoing in that the% have %et to identif% the mastermind for the ki""ing. The Commission in'uired as to +hat ste!s the !o"i e +ere taking to do so. The !o"i e offi ers stated that the% +ere +aiting for further information from their +itness# <r. 4enedi k <a""or a. The Commission noted that the investigation shou"d not $e ke!t id"% +aiting for a +itness to vo"unteer information# es!e ia""% sin e the ase of Ca$anit is# a ording to Task (or e )sig7s re!ort# 8under e,tensive investigation.9

re!ort fina" sig

-E The N4.7s <edi o1Aega" e,aminer# >r. Cdgar 5a$a""a# testified on his auto!s% of Ca$anit7s $od% undertaken after its e,humation +as ordered $% the Commission. @e dis overed that there +ere t+o (2) gunshot +ounds and not three (-) as stated in the !o"i e re!ort. @e a"so on "uded that# $ased on the entr% +ounds# the +ea!on used +as a ./5 a"i$er !isto"# and definite"% not a Emm !isto" as stated in the !o"i e re!ort. )nfortunate"%# no s"ugs +ere re overed from Ca$anit7s $od% for !ossi$"e $a""isti e,amination. Aast to testif% +as <r. Bodo"fo .mson# the "o a" Begiona" >ire tor of the >e!artment of Agrarian Beform. @e testified as to the good hara ter of Ca$anit# $ut that the >AB has no idea +ho +as $ehind his ki""ing. @e# ho+ever# mentioned that vio"en e is a onstant !ro$"em in the im!"ementation of the agrarian reform !rogram# and that he himse"f has $een re eiving death threats from unkno+n !arties. ,. F(rn$ndo G$r"$

@ernando 4aria +as a farmer and offi er of a "o a" farmer7s grou! in ."oi"o !rovin e a""ed the Asao (armers and Besidents Asso iation (8A(BA9). @e +as shot and ki""ed on ?u"% 2-# 2005 $% !o"i emen during an en ounter invo"ving the servi e of an a""eged sear h +arrant. @ernando 4aria7s +ido+# ?ovita 4aria# testified $efore the Commission that 4a"asan to+n 6i e <a%or 5usan 4edro is the one $ehind the ki""ing of her hus$and. A ording to her# the ki""ing +as motivated $% her hus$and $eing one of the $enefi iaries of agrarian reform im!"ementation over the "and o+ned $% 4edro# and $e ause he +as one of the instrumenta" offi ers of A(BA. )!on !rodding# ho+ever# she a"so admitted that her hus$and !ossessed an un"i ensed firearm and fired the same during the en ounter +ith the !o"i e. !remises +here 4aria +as sta%ing. ?ovita 4aria fi"ed murder harges against the on erned !o"i e offi ers +hi h is no+ urrent"% !ending +ith the offi e of the Om$udsman. .t a"so a!!eared that the !o"i e +ere in !ossession of a sear h +arrant for the A(BA

re!ort fina" sig

/0 G. Presentation o& /edia groups On Novem$er 21# 2006# the Commission met offi ers of the Nationa" *ress C"u$ (8N*C9) to dis uss the ki""ing of severa" media men and their hi""ing effe t on !ress freedom. The mem$ers of the media $e"ieved that the% do not have the !o+er to sto!# mu h "ess ontro" the ki""ing of media men. The N*C offi ers ited the "a+ enfor ement om!onent# in "uding the eviden e gathering# investigation# and !rose ution s%stems# as +e"" as !o"iti a" !ressure# as the main !ro$"ems that need to $e addressed in order to so"ve these ki""ings and to !revent future in idents. The% stated that firm and effe tive "a+ enfor ement and !rose ution are effe tive deterrents to this kind of ki""ings. The N*C said that the ki""ing of 3ourna"ists is most "ike"% re"ated to !o"iti ians or mone%ed inf"uentia" !ersons. 5in e man% "a+ enfor ement authorities or !o"i emen are 8under the +ings9 of these !o"iti ians or inf"uentia" !ersons# it is ver% diffi u"t for "a+ enfor ement authorities to $e effe tive. The N*C ited the ki""ing or +ounding of the fo""o+ing media men and the sus!e ts $ehind themF a. $. . d. *hi"i! Agustin in >inga"an# Aurora# +here the sus!e t is <a%or ."ardeG A"$erto )rsa"ino in <a"a$on Cit%# +here the sus!e t is a ertain ?imene&G ?onathan A$a%on in :enera" 5antos Cit%# +here the sus!e t is an arm% te hni a" sergeantG *a$"o @ernande& +ho re eived severa" threats and +as sta$$ed severa" times $ut managed to survive. The sus!e t is a mem$er of the maritime !o"i e for e.

re!ort fina" sig

/1 (. Presentation o& United $%urc% o& $%rist o& t%e P%ilippines and t%e National $ouncil o& $%urc%es o& t%e P%ilippines.

On >e em$er 22# 2006# offi ia"s of the )nited Chur h of Christ of the *hi"i!!ines (8)CC*9) and the Nationa" Coun i" of Chur hes of the *hi"i!!ines (NCC*9) met +ith *resident :"oria <a a!aga"1Arro%o and Chairman <e"o# among others. The )CC* and NCC* re!orted that 10 "erg% and 5 "a% +orkers of hur h1$ased !rograms have $e ome vi tims of e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings. The% a"so mentioned that J )CC* mem$ers +ho +ere a"so a tive in !eo!"e7s organi&ations +ere simi"ar"% s"ain. Among those mentioned in the "ist of s"ain "erg%men is 4isho! A"$erto 4. Bamento of the .g"esia (i"i!ina .nde!endiente +hose ase has $een removed from the "ist of a tivist ki""ings and has $een "assified as one of ro$$er%. Hhi"e it is +as not "ear if these ki""ings are +ithin the Commission7s mandated s o!e of the in'uir%# the same $eing neither a tivist nor media re"ated# the Commission neverthe"ess endorsed these ases to the Nationa" 4ureau of .nvestigation# through N4. >ire tor and Commissioner Nestor <antaring# +ho undertook to !rioriti&e and e,!edite the investigation of these ases.

III. A. Pro&ile o& 4icti)s

CASE STUDIES

The ma3orit% of the vi tims of the e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings +ere mem$ers of the so1 a""ed "eft1+ing organi&ations ; !rimari"% 4a%an <una# Anak!a+is# 4agong A"%ansang <aka$a%an# 0ara!atan and 0*> (0i"usan !ara sa *am$ansang >emokras%a) and other ause1oriented grou!s "ike# for e,am!"e# Task (or e <a!a"ad and )NOB0A ()gna%an ng mga Nagsasari"ing Organisas%on sa 0ana%unan) +orking for agrarian reform and other so ia" 3usti e issues. The Commission +as given $% Task (or e )sig the fi"es re"ating to fourteen (1/) ases of e,tra3udi ia" ki""ing of a tivists or mi"itants +hi h are

re!ort fina" sig

/2 su!!osed to $e t%!i a" or re!resentative of the ases under investigation $% Task (or e )sig. The re ords of said ases sho+ a ommon !attern in the methodo"og% of the atta ks# the "eftist !rofi"e of the vi tims or at "east mem$ershi! in a ause1 oriented grou!# and the "a k of !rogress in the investigation or !rose ution of the ase. The atta ks in ha"f of the ases +ere arried out $% unidentified men riding on motor % "es and +earing $onnet masks (5otero A"amas# ?ose >oton# Noe" Ca!u"ong# 6i torina :ome&# *a'uito >ia&# C"ena <endio"a and Cnri o Ca$anit) On the "eftist !rofi"e of the vi timsF The vi tims +ere mem$ers of 4a%an <una (Bu$en A!o"inario# C,!edito A"$ari""o# 5otero A"amas# Noe" Ca!u"ong# C"ena <endio"a# ?uanito <esias# ?ose >oton)# Anak!a+is (Tito <a a$itas)# and other ause1oriented grou!s# name"%# 0a!isanan *ara 5a *am$ansang >emokras%a (Ana"i&a 5. A$anador)# 4inodgan *eo!"e7s Organi&ation# an a tive advo ate against "arge1s a"e mining in 0a"inga (Bafae" 4angit)# Confederation for )nit%# Be ognition and Advan ement of :overnment Cm!"o%ees# a mi"itant organi&ation fighting for e'ua" rights# $etter $enefits and o!!ortunities in government +ork !"a es (*a'uito >ia&)# and )NOBCA# an organi&ation a tive in the im!"ementation of the agrarian reform "a+ (Cnri o Ca$anit). The ases have remained unso"ved (Bu$en A!o"inar# C,!edito A"$ari""o# Bafae" 4angit# Noe" Ca!u"ong# 6i torina :ome&# *a'uito >ia&). .n five (5) of the ases# a"though rimina" om!"aints against the sus!e ts have $een fi"ed +ith the Offi e of the *u$"i *rose utor# the identifi ation of the sus!e ts is at $est ase of Cnri o Ca$anit# the a""eged t+o du$ious (Anna"i&a A$anador# 5otero A"amas# Tito <a a$itas# C"ena <endio"a. Hith res!e t to the !arti u"ar e%e+itnesses su!!osed"% identified a ertain Cnri'ue 5o"on +ho# at the time of the identifi ation# +as a"read% deadG the identifi ation# to sa% the "east# is high"% 'uestiona$"e.

re!ort fina" sig

/The investigation in man% of the ases has met a $"ank +a"" (Bu$en A!o"inar# C,!edito A"$ari""o# Bafae" 4angit# Noe" Ca!u"ong# 6i torina :ome&# *a'uito >ia&). Hith res!e t to the ases !ending !re"iminar% investigation# the sus!e ts are sti"" at "arge (Anna"i&a A$anador# 5otero A"amas# Tito <a a$itas# C"ena <endio"a). .t is on"% in one ase (?ose >oton) +here the a used has $een arrested $ut there is no indi ation in the !o"i e fi"e as to the status of the ase.

1.

R 5(n A/o'"n$r

Bu$en A!o"inar +as a 4a%an <una oordinator of 5an Teodoro# Orienta" <indoro +hi"e his +ife# Bodriga A!o"inar# +as a mem$er of the :a$rie"a. Hhi"e the s!ouses +ere s"ee!ing +ith their eight1%ear o"d daughter at their house in 4aranga% ."ag# 5an Teodoro# Orienta" <indoro at a$out EF-0 !.m. on <a% 20# 2002# unidentified !ersons ridd"ed the house +ith $u""ets# ki""ing a"" three. 5i,t%1 three !ie es of em!t% she""s of <16 +ere re overed from the rime s ene. The !o"i e never ame u! +ith an% sus!e tG the ase remains unso"ved.

#.

Ann$'"A$ S. A5$n$dor

Anna"i&a 5. A$anador# -5 %ears o"d# sing"e# +as a mi"itant "eader and mem$er of the 0a!isanan *ara 5a *am$ansang >emokras%a (0*>) and former !resident of 4ATA51ACT# a mi"itant grou!. On <a% 1J# 2006# at a$out 5F-0 !.m.# her $od% +as dis overed $% a o1em!"o%ee# ridd"ed +ith mu"ti!"e gunshot +ounds# at the >akki 5a"e Center in 4a"anga# 4ataan +here she +as +orking as an assistant !ersonne" offi er. (our (/) s!ent she""s fired from a ./5 a"i$re !isto" and one (1) deformed ./5 a"i$re s"ug +ere re overed from the rime s ene. The !o"i e fi"ed harges against the a""eged sus!e ts A""an *rado S .an and ?ose Cara$eo S Toktok# re!orted"% $oth mem$ers of the C**1N*A $ased on the identifi ation of a tri % "e driver +ho su!!osed"% sa+ the sus!e ts oming out of the >akki 5a"e Center. The driver identified the sus!e ts from !hotogra!hs sho+n to him $% the !o"i e.

re!ort fina" sig

// 4ased on said identifi ation and +ithout having a!!rehended the sus!e ts remaining at "arge# the *N* fi"ed a rimina" om!"aint for murder +ith the Offi e of the Cit% *rose utor of 4a"anga Cit%# 4ataan on <a% -0# 2006. ,. EC/(d"to A'5$r"''o

C,!edito A"$ari""o and his +ife Cmmanue"a A"$ari""o +ere mem$ers of 4a%an <una. At a$out 6 a.m. at 5itio .$u%e# 4rg%. Ca"sa!a# 5an Teodoro# Orienta" <indoro# the s!ouses# after $eing hogtied and dragged from their house# +ere shot to death $% eight (J) unidentified men# three of +hom +ere +earing $onnets. The !o"i e re!ort refers to the s!ouses as 8"ie1"o+ mem$ers of C**2N*A9 and C,!edito A"$ari""o +as su!!osed"% "inked to the assassination of the "ate <a%or Os ar A"da$a of 5an Teodoro. The *N* o$tained the statement of the mother of C,!edito A"$ari""o that she +as no "onger interested in !ursuing the investigation. .t +ou"d seem that this is the reason +h% the !o"i e has sto!!ed an% further investigation. -. Sot(ro L'$+$%

5otero A"amas 3oined the C**2N*A during the martia" "a+ regime of *resident <ar osG he +as for ed to go underground $e ause he +as an a tive mem$er of the 0a$ataang <aka$a%an. After he +as a!tured in <a% 1EE5# he +as granted amnest% under the ?oint Agreement on 5e urit% and .mmunit% :uarantee. @e thereafter served as !o"iti a" onsu"tant for the N>( in the !ea e negotiations $et+een the N>( and the :B* from 1EE7 to 200/. @e a"so served as !o"iti a" affairs dire tor of the *art% Aist 4a%an <una. .n the 200/ e"e tions# he ran for in A"$a% $ut "ost. On <a% 2E# 2006# at a$out JF-0 a.m.# +hi"e on $oard a mu"ti1 a$ +hi h +as maneuvering to make a u1turn# three men on $oard a motor % "e a!!roa hed the right side of the mu"ti1 a$ and at "ose range fired severa" shots# hitting A"amas on e on the head and thri e on the $od% +hi"e the driver

re!ort fina" sig

/5 sustained one gunshot +ound on the right arm. A"amas +as !ronoun ed dead u!on arriva" in the hos!ita". T+o a""eged e%e+itnesses# a ma"e !edi a$ driver and a 1E1%ear o"d fema"e student# +ho +ere not named in the fi"e# su!!osed"% identified one of the gunmen as Cdgardo 5evi""a# a""eged"% a mem$er of the Communist Terrorist grou! o!erating in the first and se ond distri ts of A"$a%. The t+o +itnesses +ere su!!osed"% !resented $efore the Offi e of the Begiona" 5tate *rose utor and the% affirmed their statements !ositive"% identif%ing Cdgardo 5evi""a and one Cdgar Ca"ag. A ording to the !o"i e# their inte""igen e re!ort dis "osed that Cdgardo 5evi""a is urrent"% an N*A ommander +hi"e Cdgardo Ca"ag# a dis harged *hi". Arm% s!e ia" for es mem$er +ho +ent AHOA after ki""ing his deta hment ommander# is 8$e"ieved to $e an N*A mem$er o!erating in A"$a% and 5orsogon.9 1. :o%( Doton

?ose C. >oton +as the 5e retar% :enera" of the 4agong A"%ansang <aka$a%an (4a%an <una) and *resident of T.<<AHA (Tigna% Ti <anna"on a <ang+a%a+a%a ti Agno). At a$out 10F-0 a.m. on <a% 16# 2006# +hi"e the vi tim and his $rother# Can io >oton# +ere on their +a% home on $oard a motor % "e# +ith the vi tim as $a krider# t+o !ersons +earing he"mets on $oard a motor % "e +ho +ere a!!arent"% tai"ing them fired severa" shots at them. The vi tim and his $rother fe"" do+n. Thereafter# one of the gunmen a!!roa hed ?ose >oton +ho +as "%ing on the ground and shot him in the head. @e +as rushed to a hos!ita" $ut +as !ronoun ed dead on arriva". @is $rother +as hit at the $a k $ut managed to survive. The in ident ha!!ened on Anong Boad# 5a$angan Biver# 4rg% Camanggan# 5an Ni o"as# *angasinan. A om!"aint for murder and frustrated murder has $een fi"ed against a ertain ?oe" 5. ("ores $e auseF (a) the motor % "e su!!osed"% used in the ki""ing is registered in his nameG and ($) the ./5 a"i$re !isto" found in his !ossession +hen su$3e ted to a $a""isti e,amination turned out to $e the one used in the shooting.

re!ort fina" sig

/6 A ording to the !o"i e re!ort# 8the identities of the sus!e ts annot $e esta$"ished as of this time sin e there are no +itnesses +ho had surfa ed to give an e%e+itness a ount of the in ident and that the motives for the ki""ing annot $e esta$"ished.9 5. ("ores. 4. R$.$(' G$n0"t There is no re!ort on the status of the ase fi"ed against ?oe"

On ?une J# 2006# at a$out -F-0 !.m.# Bafae" 4angit# /5 %ears o"d# married# 5e retar%1:enera" of 4inodngan *eo!"e7s Organi&ation and an a tive advo ate against "arge1s a"e mining in 0a"inga# and Chairman of 4a%an1<una10a"inga *rovin e# +as a !assenger in a $us $ound for 4aguio Cit% from Ta$uk# 0a"inga. After the $us had a sto!1over for dinner in 4rg% Due&on# 5an .sidro# .sa$e"a and# as the !assengers +ere a$out to $oard# a !erson +earing a $"a k $onnet sudden"% a!!eared and shot the vi tim# in "uding :"oria Casuga# a s hoo" !rin i!a"# +ho "ike+ise sustained five gunshot +ounds. The !erson +ho shot Bafae" 4angit +as +ith other armed men +ho f"ed on $oard a >e"i a van# +hi h had a!!arent"% $een tai"ing the $us sin e it "eft Ta$uk# 0a"inga. There has $een no !rogress +hatsoever in the investigation of the ase. 7. No(' <No'"= C$/ 'on0

Noe" 8No"i9 Ca!u"ong# a 4a%an <una Aaguna Cha!ter "eader and a mem$er of the )nited Chur h of Christ in the *hi"i!!ines ()CC*) +as shot to death on <a% 27# 2006 at a$out 6!.m. in 4rg%. *arian# Ca"am$a Cit%# $% t+o unidentified sus!e ts riding on a motor % "e. One of the sus!e ts +ho +as the $a krider a"ighted from the motor % "e and shot the vi tim at "ose range +ho +as on $oard an o+ner1t%!e 3ee!. The sus!e ts +ere $oth +earing $onnets $ut the gunman su!!osed"% +ore the $onnet on"% as a headgear. Ca!u"ong +as the fourth mem$er of the )CC* to $e ki""ed. As of <a% 2006#

re!ort fina" sig

/7 A rimina" om!"aint for murder is su!!osed to have $een fi"ed against a ertain A"fredo A"insunurin +ith the Cit% *rose utor7s Offi e# Ca"am$a Cit%# $ut the fi"e does not indi ate the evidentiar% $asis for the harge. The res!ondent is at "arge. 8. V"!tor"n$ Go+(A

6i torina :ome&# 6- %ears o"d# a +ido+ +as the $aranga% a!tain of 4rg%. *arian# <e,i o *am!anga. The shooting o urred at a$out 5F-0 !.m. on >e em$er 16# 2005# +hi"e <s. :ome&# together +ith 4rg%. 0aga+ad Bomeo Atien&a# 4rg% 0aga+ad Be%na"do <a a$a"i# and other !ersons +ere +a"king to+ards her house after attending a meeting hosted $% the 6Eth .nfantr% 4ata""ion# *hi"i!!ine Arm% he"d at the <e,i o :%mnasium in <e,i o# *am!anga. T+o unidentified ma"e sus!e ts +earing he"mets and riding a motor % "e +ere res!onsi$"e for the ki""ing. Hhi"e one of the sus!e ts ke!t the engine of the motor % "e running# the other +a"ked to+ards <s. :ome& and her om!anion and shot to death <s. :ome& and 0aga+ad Bomeo Atien&aG 4rg%. 0aga+ad Be%na"do <a a$a"i +as serious"% +ounded. After+ards# the gunman immediate"% $oarded the motor % "e and the assai"ants s!ed a+a%. The gunman a!!arent"% used a a" Emm ma hine !isto" +ith a si"en er. Be overed from the rime s ene +ere em!t% she""s and deformed s"ugs from a sus!e ted a". E mm !isto". There has $een no re!orted !rogress in the !o"i e investigation +hatsoever. B. T"to M$!$5"t$%

Tito <a a$itas +as a!!arent"% asso iated +ith# if not an a tive mem$er of# Anak *a+is 8and on severa" o asions had $een sighted in severa" ra""ies of the "eftists here (5an ?ose Cit%) and in <etro <ani"a9. @e +as em!"o%ed as a uti"it% +orker or overseer at the 6i""a Bamos Besort and @ote" +hi h is o+ned $% >r. 4en Be%es# a kno+n Anak *a+is adviser. The resort is said to $e a fre'uent venue of meetings of Anak *a+is and other "eftist grou!s.

re!ort fina" sig

/J

On O to$er 20# 2005# at a$out 10F10 !.m. +hi"e Tito <a a$itas and his +ife# Cva >. <a a$itas# +ere in their residen e at 4rg%. <ani "a# 5an ?ose Cit% and +hi"e the% +ere a"read% in $ed# the% +ere a+akened $% a kno k on their $edroom door. Cve"%n# a nie e of Tito <a a$itas# informed the "atter that some$od% +as "ooking for him. Tito <a a$itas de ided to go out to he k# fo""o+ed $% his +ife.. )!on rea hing the side of the house of Cve"%n# the man "ooking for Tito <a a$itas a!!arent"% asked the "atter his name $e ause his +ife heard her hus$and sa%ing that he +as Tito <a a$itas. At that 3un ture# the stranger shot Tito <a a$itas and a"so his +ife +ho +as hit in the !a"m of her right hand. The assai"ant f"ed in a +aiting vehi "e (.t is not "ear +hether it +as a motor % "e# a ar or a 3ee!G a ording to the +ife 8<a%roon !ong mainga% na motor na naka!arada sa ma"a!it "ang sa $aha% ni Cve"%n9. (Affidavit of Cva >. <a a$itas). A rimina" om!"aint for murder and frustrated murder has $een fi"ed against a ertain >indo <endo&a and t+o others (unidentified). 4ased on the stor% of one Armand Ar e# he +as a""eged"% asked $% >indo <endo&a at a$out 7 !.m. on O to$er 20# 2005 to 3oin in ki""ing Tito <a a$itas +ho su!!osed"% dis overed their e,tortion ra ket in o""e ting mone% from esta$"ishments $% !retending to $e mem$ers of the N*A and had threatened to re!ort them to the authorities. A ording to Ar e# he refused to 3oin and that >indo <endo&a +ith t+o om!anions "eft to !ro eed to 4rg%. <anio"a that night. Car"% morning of the fo""o+ing da%# Armando Ar e a""eged"% "earned that Tito <a a$itas had $een gunned do+n. 10. P$> "to <P$C= D"$A

*a'uito 8*a,9 >ia&# /2 %ears o"d# sing"e and su!!osed"% an AHOA em!"o%ee of the >e!artment of Agrarian Beform# +as shot and ki""ed on ?u"% 6# 2006# at a$out 6 !.m. in 4rg%. 5/# Cs!eras Avenue# Ta "o$an Cit%# $% t+o motor % "e1riding ma"e sus!e ts. The $a k rider armed +ith a ./5 a"i$re !isto" a!!arent"% fitted +ith a si"en er a ted as the triggerman +ho shot the vi tim t+i e +hi"e the "atter +as +aiting for a friend a"ong Cs!eras Avenue. The driver

re!ort fina" sig

/E of the motor % "e +as +earing a he"met +hi"e the gunman +as s!orting a $a"" a! +hi h !art"% overed his fa e. At the time of his death# *a'uito 8*a,9 >ia& +as the Chair!erson of the Confederation for )nit%# Be ognition and Advan ement of :overnment Cm!"o%ees (CO)BA:C1Castern 6isa%as)# a mi"itant organi&ation fighting for e'ua" rights# $etter $enefits and o!!ortunities in government +ork !"a es# and +as a""ied +ith other !rogressive grou!s su h as A""ian e of Hater Con essionaires (AAHA:ON)# 4a%an <una# Anak *a+is# :a$rie"a# Anak ng 4a%an# 4agong A"%ansang <aka$a%an# and others. The CO)BA:C under the "eadershi! of <r. >ia& +as then engaged in a "ega" $att"e $et+een the Ae%te <etro Hater >istri t Cm!"o%ees Asso iation (A<H>CA)# an affi"iate of CO)BA:C# and the !revious A<H> management under then :enera" <anager Cngr. Banu"fo C. (e"i iano that +as triggered $% the a""eged dismissa" of 26 A<H> em!"o%ees. A$so"ute"% no !rogress has $een re!orted. No +itness ou"d even give a des ri!tion of the !er!etrators to !rovide suffi ient $asis for a artogra!hi sket h $e ause the driver of the motor % "e +as +earing a he"met +hi"e the gunman had a $a"" a! on +hi h !art"% overed his fa e. 11. E'(n$ M(nd"o'$

C"ena <endio"a# 5/ %ears o"d# married and the 5e retar%1:enera" of 4a%an <una .sa$e"a Cha!ter +as shot si, times in the head on <a% 10# 2006# at a$out J !.m.# in 4aranga% :arit 5ur# C hague .sa$e"a# $% t+o ma"e !ersons +earing $"a k $onnet masks. 0i""ed at the same time +as her su!!osed 8"ive1in9 !artner# Bi ardo 8Bi 9 4a"auag# 4a%an <una Chairman# <uni i!a"it% of C hague. The !er!etrators f"ed on $oard a motor % "e. A +itness# 4a%ani 6i""anueva# gave a su!!"ementa" statement dated ?une 1# 2006 that on <a% 10# 2006 at around J !.m.# +hi"e on $oard his motor % "e going to the house of Bu$% Cor!u& in 4aranga% :aret 5ur# C hague# .sa$e"a to meet +ith Bi ardo 4a"auag he heard severa" $ursts of gun fire !rom!ting him to seek over and at that 3un ture he sa+ t+o armed men in $"a k s+eaters riding
re!ort fina" sig

50 in tandem on a s!orts1t%!e motor % "e removing their $onnet masks +hi"e f"eeing to+ards his dire tion. As the "ight of his motor % "e +as sti"" on# he +as a$"e to identif% Benato 4usania and Timoteo Cor!u& +hom he su!!osed"% met on <ar h 2# 2006 after he +as to"d $% Bi ardo 4a"auag a$out the t+o !ersons fre'uenting his house and threatening him +ith harm if he fai"ed to !rodu e something. 1#. : $n"to M(%"$%2 :r.

?uanito <esias# 2J %ears o"d# married and a mem$er of 4a%an <una 0ananga Cha!ter +as ki""ed on <a% 1-# 2001 at a$out 11F-0 !.m. at 4aranga% 5an .sidro# 0ananga# Ae%te. The vi tim# together +ith >ani"o :usando and other om!anions# +hi"e riding on their res!e tive motor % "es and am!aigning for their andidate# in um$ent <a%or :iovanni Cd <. Ne!ari# +as am$ushed $% the a""eged sus!e ts# Omar 5umod"a%on# said to $e a former N*A mem$er# and <e"'uiades 5umod"a%on. <esias died on the s!ot +hi"e his om!anion >ani"o :uisando +as +ounded. The ase for murder and frustrated murder is !ending tria" $efore the Begiona" Tria" Court of Ormo Cit%. The Task (or e )sig fi"e on the ase given to this Commission does not indi ate the under"%ing eviden e in su!!ort of the ase against the a""eged sus!e ts. 1,. Enr"!o C$5$n"t

Cnri o Ca$anit# married and se retar%1genera" of the *am$ansang )gna%an ng mga Nagsasari"ing Ao a" na Organisas%on sa 0ana%unan ()NOBCA)# an organi&ation that is a staun h advo ate of agrarian reform and so ia" 3usti e# +as ki""ed on A!ri" 2/# 2006# at a$out 616F-0 !.m. near the un"oading area of fish ars at the *ana$o *remium <arket in *ana$o Cit%# >avao Norte. T+o unidentified !ersons riding in tandem on a motor % "e +ith no !"ate num$er +ere res!onsi$"e. The $a krider +earing a +hite u!!er $asket$a"" garment +ith his fa e !artia""% overed +ith a !ie e of "oth a"ighted and shot Cnri o Ca$anit +ho# +ith his daughter >affodi"# +as +aiting for trans!ortation.

re!ort fina" sig

51 Cnri o Ca$anit died on the s!ot $ut >affodi" +as on"% +ounded and she survived. A ertain Cnri'ue 5o"on +ho +as ki""ed in :en. 5antos on <a% 26# 2006 +as identified $% t+o a""eged e%e+itnesses ; B%an Cata"an and Bomeo Ca$i""o ; as the gunman +ho shot and ki""ed Cnri o Ca$anit. The identifi ation of Cnri'ue 5o"on as the gunman and ki""er of Cnri o Ca$anit is high"% 'uestiona$"e and not redi$"e. The t+o e%e+itnesses# $ased on their statements# did not rea""% get a good "ook at the gunman and ou"d not have !ositive"% identified him $% "ooking at the adaver of Cnri'ue 5o"on +hose s+o""en fa e# $ased on the !hotogra!h "ooked marked"% different from the fa e of the "atter +hen he +as a"ive. (This ase is more e,tensive"% dis ussed in onne tion +ith the hearing he"d in >avao Cit% $% the Commission). 1-. T(r(%$ M$+(n0

Teresa <ameng# 5E %ears o"d# married# a Task (or e <a!a"ad mem$er# +as fata""% hit $% a $u""et on - 5e!tem$er 200/ at a$out midnight +hen a grou! of armed men# +ith assau"t rif"es# fired +ithout an% !rovo ation at a grou! of shanties o u!ied $% CAB* farmer1$enefi iaries +ho +ere mem$ers of Task (or e <a!a"ad at the outskirts of the 6i""anueva 5ugar *"antation "o ated at @a ienda Con hita16i""anueva# 4rg%. 5ag1ang# Aa Caste""ana# Negros O identa". 4ased u!on the investigation of the !o"i e# a om!"aint for murder and mu"ti!"e attem!ted murder +as fi"ed on 6 5e!tem$er 200/ against four mem$ers of the Tuguis 5e urit% 5ervi es# .n . +ho +ere hired $% the management of @a ienda Con hita16i""anuevaG the om!"aint +as "ater amended to in "ude ?uanito 5uriaga# an overseer of the ha ienda. (@o+ever# on 21 <ar h 2006# the harge of murder +as do+ngraded to homi ide !er a reso"ution issued $% the *rovin ia" *rose utor7s Offi e). The ase has $een dragging on for t+o %ears +ithout an% signifi ant !rogress.

re!ort fina" sig

52 B. /et%odology o& Attacks The e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings of a tivists +ere arried out in a great num$er of ases $% unidentified men riding on motor % "es +earing he"mets or $onnet masks. The atta kers rode in tandem on their motor % "es# +ith the $a krider getting off to do the shooting. .n some of the ases +here the atta kers ki""ed their vi tims on foot# the% made their es a!e using motor % "es. The effi ien % and onfident manner +ith +hi h the atta ks +ere

undertaken "ear"% suggest that the ki""ers +ere +e""1trained !rofessiona"s +ho kne+ their $usiness +e"". <an% of the atta ks +ere arried out during da%time and onsummated +ith a "imited num$er of shots hitting their intended target. The fami"ies of the vi tims in man% of the ases re!orted !revious death threats or survei""an e $% sus!e ted mi"itar% or !o"i e !ersonne".

IV.

FINDINGS

(rom the eviden e and !resentations re eived $% the Commission# it $e ame a!!arent ear"% on that the Commission must differentiate its in'uir% into the ki""ings of a tivists from those of media !ersonne" and agrarian reform movement. .t a!!eared that the ki""ings of media !ersonne" are more or "ess attri$uta$"e to re!risa"s for the vi tims7 e>pos?s or other media !ra ti es. .n the media ki""ings# "o a" !o"iti ians# +ar"ords# or $ig $usiness interests are vie+ed as the !arties res!onsi$"e for the ki""ings# +hi"e in agrarian reform re"ated ki""ings# it is sus!e ted that "ando+ners and those o!!osed to the im!"ementation of "and reform are $ehind the ki""ings. On the other hand# the ki""ings of a tivists +ere invaria$"% "aid at the doorste! of the mi"itar%. The investigation of ki""ings of media !ersonne" $% the *N* +as nota$"% more su essfu" than that that of a tivist ki""ings. (or the media ki""ings# forma" om!"aints have $een fi"ed in a great ma3orit% of ases. 5us!e ts in the media ki""ings have $een named and identified. .n a tivist ki""ings# there have $een a meas"% num$er of om!"aints fi"ed +ith the authorities.
re!ort fina" sig

5-

.n a""# the ki""ings of media !ersonne" have $een# more or "ess# so"ved# om!ared to the a tivist ki""ings and agrarian reform re"ated ki""ings. On the other hand# it is not "ear if the agrarian reform re"ated ki""ings have the same etio"og% as the a tivist ki""ings. Thus# the Commission here$% sees fit to su$mit its findings on a tivist ki""ings inde!endent"% of that of the media ki""ings and agrarian reform re"ated ki""ings. MEDIA KILLINGS .t a!!ears that the ki""ing of media !ersonne" has $een hara teri&ed $% the "a k of a entra" or homogenous theor% for the motives therefor. <ost of the ki""ings have $een !"ausi$"% attri$uted to either !ersona" vengean e# "o a" !o"iti s# or ommer ia" on erns. Hhi"e the media ki""ings are $% no means "ess a$horrent than the a tivist ki""ings# the fa t is that no entra" theor% a using agents of the government of the s%stemati assassination of media !ersonne" has $een for+arded# not to mention su$stantiated. Aike+ise# the !rogress or !erforman e of the *N* insofar as the media ki""ings are on erned is mu h $etter than that !ertaining to a tivist ki""ings. Task (or e )sig has for+arded for !rose ution 21 out of the 26 ases of s"ain media men. Nonethe"ess# the in rease in the num$er of s"ain media men shou"d not go unheeded. The fa t is that ertain !ersons or grou!s have $een so $o"d as to assau"t and ki"" media !ersonne" for their o+n se"fish interests. This annot $e ondoned. The *N* as +e"" as the !rose ution arm of the government shou"d make sure that the !er!etrators of these rimes are $rought s+ift"% to 3usti e. AGRARIAN REFORM RELATED KILLINGS Hith the e, e!tion of @ernando 4aria# the ki""ing of farmers1a tivists a!!eared to have fo""o+ed the same !attern as other a tivists. .n the ase of the 6igo s!ouses# their ki""ing ou"d have $een motivated $% !o"iti a" reasons or $% reason of their !er eived ties +ith the N*A. .n the ase of Cnri o Ca$anit# it

re!ort fina" sig

5/ a!!ears that he +as ki""ed for his a tivities as a !easant farmer "eader# and not for affi"iation +ith !o"iti ians or +ith the N*A. .n an% ase# their deaths are e'ua""% de!"ora$"e and annot $e ountenan ed. <ost of the ases of agrarian re"ated ki""ings have !ending investigations or "ega" a tion $efore the !ro!er authorities. @en e# the resu"t of su h investigations shou"d shed more "ight on the !ersons or interests $ehind the ki""ings. .n this regard# the !rose ution and "a+ enfor ement authorities on erned shou"d e,!edite the investigation and !rose ution of these rimes. *arti u"ar attention shou"d $e !"a ed on the investigations $eing undertaken $% the !o"i e in the various ases# s!e ifi a""% that of Ca$anit# it a!!earing that the !o"i e seemed to have fai"ed to earnest"% and !ro!er"% investigate the same. ACTIVIST KILLINGS (rom the eviden e gathered# and after an e,tensive stud% of the same# the Commission omes to the on "usion that there is no dire t eviden e# $ut on"% ir umstantia" eviden e# "inking some e"ements in the mi"itar% to the ki""ings. T@CBC .5 NO O((.C.AA OB 5ANCT.ONC> *OA.CT ON T@C *ABT O( T@C <.A.TABT OB .T5 C.6.A.AN 5)*CB.OB5 TO BC5OBT TO H@AT OT@CB CO)NTB.C5 C)*@C<.5T.CAAAT CAAA 8AATCBNAT.6C *BOCC>)BC59 ; <CAN.N: .AAC:AA A.D).>AT.ON5. @o+ever# there is ertain"% eviden e !ointing the finger of sus!i ion at some e"ements and !ersona"ities in the armed for es# in !arti u"ar :enera" *a"!aran# as res!onsi$"e for an undetermined num$er of ki""ings# $% a""o+ing# to"erating# and even en ouraging the ki""ings.

A. TFERE IS SOME CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT TFE PROPOSITION TFAT SOME ELEMENTS WITFIN OR CONNECTED TO TFE MILITARH ARE RESPONSIGLE FOR TFE KILLINGS9

No +itness ame for+ard to testif% that he or she +itnessed the mi"itar% or an% mi"itar% !ersonne" a tua""% !arti i!ate in an% e,tra3udi ia" ki""ing. Neither are there in a"most a"" the ases an% e%e+itnesses to the ki""ings +ho ou"d a tua""% identif% the !er!etrators# mu h more identif% them as mem$ers of the mi"itar%.

re!ort fina" sig

55

Duite de!"ora$"e is the refusa" of the a tivist grou!s su h as 0ara!atan# 4a%an <una# et .# to !resent their eviden e $efore the ommission. I. t3(%( $!t")"%t 0ro /% *(r( "nd((d '(0"t"+$t( $nd not +(r('6 NPA .ront%2 $% t3(6 3$)( 5((n %!orn. ''6 t$00(d2 "t *o 'd 3$)( 5((n to t3("r 5(%t "nt(r(%t to d"%/'$6 t3( ()"d(n!( /on *3"!3 t3(6 r('6 .or t3("r !on!' %"on t3$t t3( +"'"t$r6 "% 5(3"nd t3( &"''"n0%. .n fa t# this refusa" irresisti$"% "ends itse"f to the inter!retation that the% do not have the ne essar% eviden e to !rove their a""egations against the mi"itar%. .t +ou"d not even $e unreasona$"e to sa% that their re a" itran e on"% $enefits the mi"itar%7s !osition that the% are indeed mere fronts for the C**1N*A and thus# enemies of the state. Neverthe"ess# des!ite the refusa" of the a tivist grou!s to oo!erate# and regard"ess of the 'uestion of their "egitima %# ertain fa ts# taken together +ith admissions and statements $% the +itnesses# "ead the Commission to on "ude that there is some ir umstantia" eviden e that a ertain grou! in the mi"itar%# !(rt$"n'6 not t3( *3o'( +"'"t$r6 or0$n"A$t"on# is res!onsi$"e for the ki""ings. To maintain other+ise +ou"d $e "osing one7s e%es to rea"it%.

1.

Mot")(

At on e# it $e omes "ear that !erha!s a sma"" grou! in the armed for es ma% $e said to have the motives for the e"imination of the ivi"ian a tivists. .n a great ma3orit% of the ases of a tivist ki""ings# the on"% e,!"anation for the vi tims7 deaths is the fa t that the% +ere a""eged"% re$e"s# or onne ted +ith the C**2N*A. A!art from a neg"igi$"e fe+ so"ved ases# the *N* has not un overed an% other e,!"anation for their ki""ing. As admitted $% :en. Cs!eron and :en. *a"!aran themse"ves# the armed for es onsiders the so1 a""ed "eft +ing and some !art% "ist organi&ations# and their mem$ers# 8(n(+"(% o. t3( %t$t(#9 +ho shou"d $e 8neutra"i&ed.9 The% 'ua"if% their statement $% stating that the +ord 8neutra"i&e9 does not ne essari"% mean ki""ing# $ut shou"d $e taken in the onte,t of their ho"isti a!!roa h to the +ar on ommunism ; that is# to in "ude so io1 ivi and other +orks designed to $ring ommunist re$e"s $a k to the fo"d of the "a+ and thus 8neutra"i&e9 their

re!ort fina" sig

56 threat. Nonethe"ess# the fa t that ertain e"ements in the mi"itar% +ou"d take the more dire t a!!roa h to 8neutra"i&ing9 the enem% annot $e dis ounted. :enera" *a"!aran# for one# stated that he annot ategori a""% den% the !ossi$i"it% that some of his men ma% have $een $ehind some of the ki""ings. No !"ausi$"e e,!"anation has $een given for the rise in e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings# e, e!t that the ki""ings +ere !er!etrated $% the C**1N*A !ursuant to a !urge of its ranks. .t is argued that do uments have $een 8 a!tured9 detai"ing this !"an of the C**2N*A# and that there are +itnesses to testif% to this fa t. The do uments and +itnesses# ho+ever# des!ite re'uest $% the Commission# +ere not !resented. Hhi"e the *N* stated that some of the vi tims ma% have $een targeted $% the C**2N*A for a""eged 8finan ia" o!!ortunism#9 no "ear $asis or eviden e +as !resented in that regard. .n fa t# none of the vi tims +as !ositive"% identified as a finan ia" offi er of the C**2N*A. .n an% ase# the over+he"ming ma3orit% of the vi tims +ere mere students# !easants or "a$orers# and thus# +ere high"% un"ike"% to have ommitted an% finan ia" o!!ortunism. Then too# it is sur!rising if there indeed is an on1going !urge among the ranks of the C**1 N*A# +h% the mi"itar% has done nothing to !romote or en ourage su h rift. 6eri"%# if %our enemies $egin to fight among themse"ves# the resu"t ou"d on"% $e to %our $enefit. <oreover# it +ou"d $e ontradi tor% for the mi"itar% to onsider the

8!urge9 theor% +hi"e at the same time "aim that the vi tims +ere enemies of the 5tate. .f the C**1N*A# the avo+ed enem% of the 5tate# +ere indeed minded to !urge the vi tims from its ranks# then it +ou"d have $een in the interest of the mi"itar% to $ring the vi tims# $eing !ossi$"e defe tors or informants# to the government7s fo"d. Cnigmati a""%# the mi"itar% has ontinued to "assif% the vi tims as 8enemies of the state.9 This thro+s the +ho"e 8!urge9 theor% out of "ine and makes it some+hat im!ro$a$"e. <ore te""ing# ho+ever# is the fa t that G(n(r$' P$'/$r$n 3"+%('. do(% not 5('"()( "n t3"% </ r0(= t3(or62 de "aring that he had no reason to $e"ieve that the ki""ings +ere !er!etrated $% the C**2N*A.
re!ort fina" sig

57

The foregoing "eads on"% to the on "usion that the 8!urge9 theor% annot $e a orded reden e. The N*A !urge theor% $eing dis redited# the on"% other theor% "eft is that ertain e"ements +ithin or onne ted to some mi"itar% offi ers are res!onsi$"e for the ki""ings. The vi tims# a ording to :enera" *a"!aran and others# +ere enemies of the 5tateG hen e# their neutra"i&ation. #. C$/$!"t6 $nd O//ort n"t6

The sus!e ted grou! in the mi"itar% has no dou$t the a!a it% or the means to arr% out the ki""ings. .n fa t# the ki""ings a!!ear to $e +e"" organi&ed and the ki""ers ade'uate"% e'ui!!ed. <ore te""ing# ho+ever# is the fa t that# +ith the C**1N*A out of the 'uestion# on'6 a grou! +ith ertain mi"itar% a!a$i"ities an su eed in arr%ing out an or hestrated !"an of e"iminating its admitted enemies. Too# this grou! admitted"% has a"" the o!!ortunit% to arr% out the said ki""ings. .ts mem$ers roam the ountr%side free from restri tions# !ursuant to their 8a""1out +ar9 on ommunism. Their !resen e in the areas +here the ki""ings o urred is undenia$"e. .f there +ere ki""ing s'uads or assassins from the N*A roaming in an% !arti u"ar area read% to strike against its former adres# the mi"itar%# no dou$t# +ou"d $e one of the first to kno+.

,.

R($!t"on

Aike+ise# the rea tion of some offi ers of the armed for es to the rising num$er of ki""ings "ends itse"f to the inferen e that the% +ere not mu h averse to +hat +as ha!!ening. *ra ti a""% nothing +as done to !revent or investigate the ki""ings# not even to "ook into the +orsening !u$"i o!inion and a usations against :enera" *a"!aran.

re!ort fina" sig

5J -. G(n(r$' P$'/$r$n

The rise in ki""ings someho+ $e ame more !ronoun ed in areas +here :enera" *a"!aran +as assigned. The trend +as so unusua" that :enera" *a"!aran +as said to have "eft a trai" of $"ood or $odies in his +ake +herever he +as assigned. @e 8earned9 the moniker 84erdugo9 from a tivist and media grou!s for his re!utation. :enera" *a"!aran as ri$es his gris"% re!utation to his enemies# as !art of their !ro!aganda am!aign to dis redit him and to denigrate his e, e""ent !erforman e in im!"ementing the various missions and !rograms assigned to him $% his su!eriors. :enera" *a"!aran# "ear"% the man in the enter of the mae"strom# admits to having uttered statements o!en"% en ouraging !ersons to !erform e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings against those sus!e ted of $eing ommunists# a"$eit unarmed ivi"ians. Horse# he +as re!orted to have 8e,!ressed de"ight9 at the disa!!earan e of at "east t+o !ersons# mere students# $ut +ho +ere sus!e ted of $eing ommunist or a tivists.67 Among these in u"!ator% items are the fo""o+ingF N:en. *a"!aran stated that ertain Organi&ations and *art% Aist Be!resentatives a t as su!!ort s%stems !roviding materia"s and she"ter for the C**1N*A.
6J

N.ntervie+ed $% *ia @ontiveros and Ton% 6e"as'ue& on the T6 *rogram 8Top S ory#9 :en. *a"!aran# +hen asked +h% he onsidered organi&ations "ike 4a%an <una as fronts for the N*A# res!onded# sa%ing 8Q a lo of "e members are a! ually involved in a ro!i ies and !rimes Q9 Hhen asked +hat eviden e he had to su!!ort this a""egation# he said that he had no eviden e# $ut that 8he ou"d fee" it.9 NBeferring to mentionedF ertain a tivist organi&ations# :en. *a"!aran

8/ven "oug" "ey are in *overnmen as Par y 0is 1epresen a ives, no ma er '"a appearan!e "ey a$e, "ey are s ill

6, 68

8*hi"i!!ine Communists Ca"" for Besum!tion of Ta"ks#9 Beuter Ne+s# ?u"% -# 2006. TSN, September 26, 2006, p. 8.

re!ort fina" sig

5E /nemies of .n'uirer)6E "e S a e.9 (<a% 16# 2006# *hi"i!!ine >ai"%

@T"e Par y 0is Members of -ongress are doing "ings o fur "er "e revolu ion, "e !ommunis movemen 2 I 'is" "ey 'ere no "ere29 (.ntervie+ +ith *ia @ontiveros and Ton% 6e"as'ue& 11 To! 5tor%)70 @I is my belief "a "ese members of par y lis in -ongress are providing "e day- o-day poli!ies of "e rebel movemen 9 ((e$ruar% -# 2006# (ren h *ress Agen %)71 8Q in "e !ourse of our opera ion, "ere 'ere some repor s "a "a BA.AN M3NA "ead4uar ers a "e ime in Mindoro 'as used as a "ideou of "e armed group. And as I said, a re!rui men agen!y be!ause "ey re!rui young people "ere as members of some organi#a ions "en even ually go up in "e moun ain. And "en, "ere 'ere "ose '"o surrendered o us !onfirming "isQ9 72 N .n onne tion +ith the re!ea" of the anti1su$version "a+# he statedF 5tar)
7-

8I 'an !ommunism o ally erased.9 (<a% 21# 2006# *hi"i!!ine

8 Q o 'age "e ongoing !oun erinsurgen!y25 by 6neu rali#ing6 no &us armed rebels bu also a 'eb of alleged fron organi#a ions "a in!lude lef is poli i!al par ies, "uman-rig" s and 'omen7s organi#a ions, even la'yers and members of "e !lergy.9 (8Hagging the 4uffa"o91 5e!tem$er 25# 2006# Ne+s+eek)7/ @I /n!ouraged -ivilians o ;ig" Ba!$9 (August 22# 2006 issue of <ani"a 5tandard Toda%) N Other statementsF 8My order o my soldiers is "a , if "ey are !er ain "a "ere are armed rebels in "e "ouse or yard, s"oo "em. I 'ill &us be oo bad if !ivilians are $illed in "e pro!ess. 8e are sorry if you are $illed in "e !rossfire.975 8T"ere 'ould be some !olla eral damage, bu i 'ill be s"or and olerable. T"e enemy 'ould blo' i up as a massive viola ion of "uman rig" s. Bu o me, i 'ould &us be ne!essary in!iden s.976 8Sorry nalang $ung may madamay na !ivilian.9G 8T"e dea " of !ivilians and lo!al offi!ials 'ere <small sa!rifi!es% broug"
Id. at p. 1$. Id. ,1 Id. at !!. 1/115# T5N ,2 Id. at !. 61. , Id. ,$ Id. at !. 1J. ,( Id. at !. -0. ,6 Id.
6) ,0

re!ort fina" sig

60 abou by "e mili ary%s an i-insurgen!y !ampaign.9 (*hi"i!!ine >ai"% .n'uirer# 5e!tem$er 12# 2006) 77 89T:"ey !anno be s opped !omple ely 2 "e $illings, I 'ould say are ne!essary in!iden s in a !onfli! be!ause "ey (referring o "e rebels) are violen . I %s no ne!essary "a "e mili ary alone s"ould be blamed. 8e are armed, of !ourse, and rained o !onfron and !on rol violen!e. Bu o "er people '"ose lives are affe! ed in "ese areas are also par i!ipa ing Q 9 7J 8T"e $illings are being a ribu ed o me bu I did no $ill "em, I &us inspired "e riggermen.9 On $eing asked if his so"diers are res!onsi$"e for the ki""ingsF 9Q per%aps )aybe" i& t%ere are" and i& t%ey do t%at" t%at1s t%eir o.n responsibility" it1s not )ine297E 8Qsome soldiers are emo ional '"en "eir !omrades are "ur or $illed. T"ere !ould be soldiers '"o de!ide o a$e "e la' in o "eir o'n "ands. Bu "a %s illegal.9J0 I !anno !a egori!ally deny "a (referring to the mi"itar% having s!e ia" units not !ro!er"% identified in $onnets and masks o!erating in the midd"e of the night.)9J1 8I am responsible (referring o e> ra-&udi!ial $illings), rela ively per"aps#9 :en. *a"!aran said that his a tions ou"d have en ouraged !eo!"e to take the "a+ into their o+n hands. @e# ho+ever# 'ua"ified this $% sa%ing it +as not rea""% intentiona" on his !art.J2 8Q So if I "ave, 'i "in my !apa!i y o preven i , I 'ould preven "e same. Bu in "e !ourse of our !ampaign, I !ould "ave en!ouraged people o do "a . So maaaring may responsibili y a$o doon, on "a aspe! . Bu "o' !ould I preven "a , 'e are engaged in "is !onfli! . All my a! ua ions really are designed o defea "e enemy. And in doing so, o "ers mig" "ave been en!ouraged o a$e a! ions on "eir o'n.9 8'"oever did "is 2 !ould "ave been en!ouraged by my a! ions and a! ua ions in "e !ourse of my !ampaign, '"oever "ey are. T"a is '"y I said, rela ively. If "ere are some soldiers, maybe "en, I !ould "ave been remiss in "a aspe! . Bu 'e are doing our bes o $eep our soldiers 'i "in our manda e.9 J-

Id. at !. --. Id. at !. -/. ,) Id. at !. -2. 80 Id. 81 Id. at !. /2. 82 Id. at !. 57. 8 Id. at !. 5J.
,, ,8

re!ort fina" sig

61 :enera" *a"!aran7s numerous !u$"i statements aught on fi"m or re"a%ed through !rint media give the overa"" im!ression that he is not a $it distur$ed $% the e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings of ivi"ian a tivists# +hom he onsiders enemies of the state. @e admits having uttered statements that ma% have en ouraged the said ki""ings. @e a"so o$vious"% ondones these ki""ings# $% fai"ing to !ro!er"% investigate the !ossi$i"it% that his men ma% have $een $ehind them. :enera" *a"!aran7s statements and ava"ier attitude to+ards the ki""ings inevita$"% revea"s that he has no 'ua"ms a$out the ki""ing of those +hom he onsiders his enemies# +hether $% his order or done $% his men inde!endent"%. @e mentions that if his men ki"" ivi"ians sus!e ted of N*A onne tions# 8it is their a""#9 o$vious"% meaning that it is u! to them to do so. This gives the im!ression that he ma% not order the ki""ings# 5 t n("t3(r *"'' 3( ord(r 3"% +(n to d(%"%t .ro+ do"n0 %o. )nder the do trine of ommand res!onsi$i"it%# :enera" *a"!aran admitted his gui"t of the said rimes +hen he made this statement. Horse# he admitted"% offers en ouragement and 8ins!iration9 to those +ho ma% have $een res!onsi$"e for the ki""ings. @e a"so admits to having he"!ed in the reation of so1 a""ed 8$aranga% defense for es9# +hi h ma% or ma% not $e armed# to !revent the entr% of C**2N*A in su h $aranga%s. 5u h defense for es are e'uiva"ent to an unoffi ia" ivi"ian mi"itia. .t is +e""1kno+n that su h mi"itia an easi"% degenerate into a mind"ess armed mo$# +here the ma3orit% sim!"% "ord it over the minorit%. This is a ferti"e situation for e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings. .n this +a%# :enera" *a"!aran ontri$uted to the e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings $% reating idea" situations for their ommission and $% indire t"% en ouraging them.

Then too# during a hearing $efore the Committee on Nationa" >efense and 5e urit% of the @ouse of Be!resentatives he"d on <a% 25# 2005# :enera" *a"!aran +as asked the fo""o+ing 'uestions $% the Chairman of the Committee# Congressman Boi"o :o"e&F 8The ChairmanF Thank %ou# Tour @onor. <a% +e have %our omment on the a usation that %ou have s!e ia" teams not !ro!er"% identified in $onnets or masks o!erating in the midd"e of the nightO9
re!ort fina" sig

62

8<r. *a"!aranF Tour @onor# . annot ategori a""% den% that and a"so admit that# $ut our o!erations Q9 8The ChairmanF Tou do have teams that o!erate that +a%O 8<r. *a"!aranF . don7t have offi ia" !o"i % on that matter.9 The "a k of a ategori a" denia" on the !art of :en. *a"!aran in res!e t of +hether the units under his ommand 8have s!e ia" teams not !ro!er"% identified KandL in $onnets or masks o!erating in the midd"e of the night9 is# as a matter of "a+# an admission of the e,isten e of su h s!e ia" teams J/. O$vious"%# su h s!e ia" teams o!erating in the midd"e of the night +earing masks or in $onnets have on"% one sinister and devious !ur!ose or o$3e tiveF the e,tra3udi ia" e"imination of the enemies of +hoever formed these teams. <oreover# it is not dis!uted that the num$er of ki""ings rose in the areas +here :en. *a"!aran +as assigned. :en. *a"!aran e,!"ained that this +as due to in reased num$er of o!erations against the N*A# thus resu"ting in more en ounters and deaths. @o+ever# the figures for the in rease in num$er of ivi"ian a tivists ki""ed o t%"d( of en ounters +as not e,!"ained. .n an% ase# a"" other authorities admit that there +as indeed a rise in the ki""ings of unarmed a tivists and media !ersonne". Fo*()(r2 d ( to t3( '$!& o. !oo/(r$t"on .ro+ t3( $!t")"%t 0ro /%2 not (no 03 ()"d(n!( *$% /r(%(nt(d 5(.or( t3( Co++"%%"on to $''o* "t to /"n/o"nt $nd ()(nt $''6 to r(!o++(nd /ro%(! t"on o. t3( /(r%on% 't"+$t('6 r(%/on%"5'( .or t3( &"''"n0%. There is no definite or identifia$"e !erson# entit% or interest $ehind the ki""ings. There is "ike+ise no definitive a ount of the a tua" num$er of a tivist ki""ings. Cven 0ara!atan and Amnest% .nternationa" have +i"d"% differing figures.

T3( !"r! +%t$nt"$' ()"d(n!( /r(%(nt(d 5(.or( t3( Co++"%%"on $nd t3( "n.(r(n!(% "t dr$*% t3(r(.ro+ $r( /ro5$5'6 0ro%%'6 "n$d(> $t( to % //ort $ !r"+"n$' !on)"!t"on# onsidering the re'uirement that onvi tion $efore a ourt re'uires !roof $e%ond reasona$"e dou$t. @o+ever# the Commission is not a ourt of "a+ $rid"ed +ith the stri t ru"es on admissi$i"it% and +eight of eviden e.
8$

5e tion -2# Bu"e 1-0# Bu"es of Court.

re!ort fina" sig

6Thus# it an !ro eed +ith a ertain degree of ertitude in stating that# in a"" !ro$a$i"it%# some e"ements in the mi"itar%# among +hom is % %/(!t(d to $e :enera" *a"!aran# are res!onsi$"e for the re ent ki""ings of a tivists. In $n6 !$%(2 . rt3(r "n-d(/t3 "n)(%t"0$t"on "nto t3( n +(ro % &"''"n0%2 "n!' d"n0 (Ct(n%")( ()"d(n!( 0$t3(r"n02 "% n(!(%%$r6 .or t3( % !!(%%. ' /ro%(! t"on o. t3o%( d"r(!t'6 r(%/on%"5'(. .n this# the testimon% of +itnesses and the !resentation of eviden e from the vi tims and their fami"ies and indis!ensa$"e. o""eagues +ou"d $e

G. GENERAL PALPARAN AND PERFAPS SOME OF FIS SUPERIOR OFFICERS2 MAH GE FELD RESPONSIGLE FOR FAILING TO PREVENT2 PUNISF OR CONDEMN TFE KILLINGS UNDER TFE PRINCIPLE OF COMMAND RESPONSIGILITH.

.t $eing +e""1nigh o$vious that some e"ements in the mi"itar% +ere $ehind the ki""ings of a tivists# it $e omes e'ua""% !"ain that some ranking offi ers in the Arm% (for the Nav%# Air (or e and Coast :uard are not herein invo"ved)# have not !erformed their fun tion of investigating or !reventing the said ki""ings# as +e"" as !unishing their !er!etrators. )nder the do trine of ommand res!onsi$i"it%# one ma% $e he"d res!onsi$"e for the ki""ings if he authori&ed# en ouraged# ignored or to"erated the ki""ings. This fai"ure to a t ma% !erha!s $e attri$uted to the mis on e!tion of some that ommand res!onsi$i"it% e,tends on"% to a ts +hi h a ommander orders or authori&es# and not to rimina" a ts of his su$ordinates done on their o+n# a"though he had kno+"edge or# had reason to kno+ of# or shou"d have kno+n a$out the same. (ai"ure to investigate and to !unish is 3ust as in u"!ator%.

1.

Co++$nd R(%/on%"5"'"t6 d(."n(d

Contrar% to the a!!arent"% ina urate notion of ommand res!onsi$i"it% entertained $% some offi ers in the A(*# ommand res!onsi$i"it% in the modern internationa" "a+ sense is a"so an omission mode of individua" rimina" "ia$i"it% +herein the su!erior offi er is res!onsi$"e for rimes ommitted $% his

re!ort fina" sig

6/ su$ordinates .or .$"'"n0 to /r()(nt or / n"%3 t3(+ (as o!!osed to rimes he ordered). The do trine of 8 ommand res!onsi$i"it%9 is not unfami"iar# $eing a guiding !rin i!"e in mi"itar% organi&ations. The do trine +as forma"i&ed $% the @ague Conventions .6 (1E07) and U (1E07) and a!!"ied for the first time $% the :erman 5u!reme Court in Aei!&ig after Hor"d Har .# in the Trial of /mil Muller. <u""er +as senten ed $% the Court for fai"ing to !revent the ommission of rimes and to !unish the !er!etrators thereof. The 1E/6 5a)as%ita aseJ5 is a de ision of the )5 5u!reme Court +hi h +as a!!ea"ed from the *hi"i!!ine 5u!reme Court# +hen the *hi"i!!ines +as sti"" a o"on% of the )nited 5tates. The )5 5u!reme Court onvi ted Tamashita as the su!erior of the ?a!anese for es +hi h ommitted uns!eaka$"e atro ities rue"t%# and murder u!on the throughout the *hi"i!!ines# a ts of vio"en e#

ivi"ian !o!u"ation and !risoners of +ar# !arti u"ar"% a "arge1s a"e massa re of ivi"ians in 4atangas# as +e"" as +ho"esa"e !i""age and +anton destru tion of re"igious monuments in the ountr%. The )5 5u!reme Court determined that Tamashita !ossessed the dut% as an arm% ommander to ontro" the o!erations of his troo!s# and +as rimina""% "ia$"e for !ermitting them to ommit su h des!i a$"e a ts. 6arious "a+s of +arfare +ere ited as $asis of su h su!erior res!onsi$i"it%F Arti "es 1 and /- of the Begu"ations anne,ed to the (ourth @ague Convention of 1E07# Arti "e 1E of the Tenth @ague Convention of 1E07# and Arti "e 26 of the 1E26 :eneva Convention on the +ounded and si k. The Court on "uded that Tamashita !ossessedFJ6 Qan affirmative dut% to take su h measures as +ere +ithin his !o+er and a!!ro!riate in the ir umstan es to !rote t !risoners of +ar and the ivi"ian !o!u"ation. This dut% of a ommanding offi er has heretofore $een re ogni&ed# and its $rea h !ena"i&ed $% our o+n mi"itar% tri$una"s.J7 .n the <edina ase#JJ on erning the infamous <% Aai <assa re in

6ietnam# it +as he"d $% an Ameri an Court <artia" that a ommander +i"" $e "ia$"e for rimes of his su$ordinates +hen he orders a rime ommitted or kno+s
8( 86

2, ..S. 1 /1)$60. C*SS%SS%, *"!1"I1, I"!%R"*!I1"*2 CRI3I"*2 2*4 20 #20$ /200 0. 8, Id., 'itin5 the Yamashita 'ase. 88 U.S. v. Medina, -2 C.<.B. 11J2 (A.C.<.B. 1E7-)
re!ort fina" sig

65 that a rime is a$out to $e ommitted# has !o+er to !revent it# and fai"s to e,er ise that !o+er. After the @ague Convention# the first internationa" treat% to

om!rehensive"% odif% the do trine of ommand res!onsi$i"it% is the Additiona" *roto o" . (A* .) of 1E77 to the :eneva Conventions of 1E/E# Arti "e J6(2) of +hi h states thatF Q the fa t that a $rea h of the Conventions or of this *roto o" +as ommitted $% a su$ordinate does not a$so"ve his su!eriors from Q res!onsi$i"it%Qif the% kne+# or had information +hi h shou"d have ena$"ed them to on "ude in the ir umstan es at the time# that he +as ommitting or a$out to ommit su h a $rea h and if the% did not take a"" feasi$"e measures +ithin their !o+er to !revent or re!ress the $rea h. Arti "e J7 o$"iges a ommander to V!revent and# +here ne essar%# to su!!ress and re!ort to om!etent authoritiesV an% vio"ation of the Conventions and of A* .. .n Arti "e J6(2) for the first time a !rovision +ou"d Ve,!"i it"% address the kno+"edge fa tor of signed and has not ratified A* .. The esta$"ishment of the .nternationa" Crimina" Tri$una" for Tugos"avia (.CTT) $% the )nited Nations 5e urit% Coun i" has "ed to further internationa" 3uris!ruden e on the do trine of ommand res!onsi$i"it%. Arti "e 7(-) of the .CTT 5tatute states that the fa t that the rimes W+ere ommitted $% a su$ordinate does not re"ieve his su!erior of rimina" res!onsi$i"it% if he kne+ or had reason to kno+ that the su$ordinate +as a$out to ommit su h a ts or had done so and the su!erior fai"ed to take the ne essar% and reasona$"e measures to !revent su h a ts or to !unish the !er!etrators.7 .n Prose!u or v. Aelali! e al (8the -elebi!i ase9)# the .CTT e"a$orated a threefo"d re'uirement for the e,isten e of ommand res!onsi$i"it%# +hi h has $een onfirmed $% su$se'uent 3uris!ruden eE0F ommand res!onsi$i"it%.VJE Hhi"e the *hi"i!!ines signed and ratified the :eneva Convention of 1E/E# it has on"%

8)

Command Bes!onsi$i"it%FThe <ens Bea Be'uirement 4% Cugenia Aevine# *lobal Poli!y ;orum (e$ruar% 2005# at htt!F22+++.g"o$a"!o"i %.org2int"3usti e2genera"220052 ommand.htm )0 Confirmed in the "ater ases of T"e Prose!u or v Timo"ir Blas$i!, Case No. .T1E511/1T# ?udgment# Tria" Cham$er# - <ar h 2000 !ar 2E/G T"e Prose!u or v Bla $o Ale$sov$si # Case. No. .T1E511/211T# ?udgment# Tria" Cham$er# 25 ?une 1EEE# !ar 6EG T"e Prose!u or v Aario Cordi! and Mario -er$e# # Case no. .T1E511/22# ?udgment# Tria" Cham$er# 26 (e$ruar% 2001# !ar /01G T"e Prose!u or v Aragol&ub Cunara! and 1adomir Cova!, Case No. .T1E612-# ?udgement# Tria" Cham$er# 22 (e$ruar%
re!ort fina" sig

66 1. the e,isten e of a su!erior1su$ordinate re"ationshi!G 2. that the su!erior kne+ or had reason to kno+ that the rimina" a t +as a$out to $e or had $een ommittedG and -. that the su!erior fai"ed to take the reasona$"e measures to !revent the rimina" a t or to !unish the !er!etrator thereof. The a!!"i a$"e standards of kno+"edge defined in the se ond re'uirement an further $e "assified asF (a) 8A tua" kno+"edge9 ; +hi h ma% $e esta$"ished $% either dire t or indire t eviden eG and ($) 8@ad reason to kno+9 +herein a$sen e of kno+"edge is not a defense +here the a used did not take reasona$"e ste!s to a 'uire su h kno+"edge. Nota$"%# in the ase of Prose!u or v Timo"ir Blas$i!, (@ "e Blas$i! !aseD), it +as he"d that ignoran e is not a defense +here the a$sen e of kno+"edge is the resu"t of neg"igen e in the dis harge of duties. The "atest e,!ression of the do trine of ommand res!onsi$i"it% in

internationa" "a+ is in Arti "e 2J of the Bome 5tatute of the .CC +hi h statesF .n addition to other grounds of rimina" res!onsi$i"it% under this 5tatute for rimes +ithin the 3urisdi tion of the CourtF (a) A mi"itar% ommander or !erson effe tive"% a ting as a mi"itar% ommander sha"" $e rimina""% res!onsi$"e for rimes +ithin the 3urisdi tion of the Court ommitted $% for es under his or her effe tive ommand and ontro"# or effe tive authorit% and ontro" as the ase ma% $e# as a resu"t of his or her fai"ure to e,er ise ontro" !ro!er"% over su h for es# +hereF (i) That mi"itar% ommander or !erson either kne+ or# o+ing to the ir umstan es at the time# shou"d have kno+n that the for es +ere ommitting or a$out to ommit su h rimesG and (ii) That mi"itar% ommander or !erson fai"ed to take a"" ne essar% and reasona$"e measures +ithin his or her !o+er to !revent or re!ress their ommission or to su$mit the matter to the om!etent authorities for investigation and !rose ution. ($) Hith res!e t to su!erior and su$ordinate re"ationshi!s not des ri$ed in !aragra!h (a)# a su!erior sha"" $e rimina""% res!onsi$"e for rimes +ithin the 3urisdi tion of the Court ommitted $% su$ordinates under his or her effe tive authorit% and ontro"# as a resu"t of his or her fai"ure to e,er ise ontro" !ro!er"% over su h su$ordinates# +hereF (i) The su!erior either kne+# or ons ious"% disregarded information +hi h "ear"% indi ated# that
2001# !ar. -E5.
re!ort fina" sig

67 the su$ordinates +ere ommitting or a$out to ommit su h rimesG (ii) The rimes on erned a tivities that +ere +ithin the effe tive res!onsi$i"it% and ontro" of the su!eriorG and (iii) The su!erior fai"ed to take a"" ne essar% and reasona$"e measures +ithin his or her !o+er to !revent or re!ress their ommission or to su$mit the matter to the om!etent authorities for investigation and !rose ution. Arti "e 2J(a) im!oses individua" res!onsi$i"it% on mi"itar% ommanders for rimes ommitted $% for es under their effe tive ommand and ontro" if the% Weither kne+ or# o+ing to the ir umstan es at the time# %3o 'd 3$)( &no*n that the for es +ere ommitting or a$out to ommit su h rimes.7 .nter!reted "itera""%# Arti "e 2J(a) ado!ts the stri ter 8%3o 'd 3$)( &no*n9 standard. Nota$"%# the Tria" Cham$er in -elebi!i strong"% suggested that the "anguage of Arti "e 2J(a) ma% reasona$"% $e inter!reted to im!ose an affirmative dut% to remain informed of the a tivities of su$ordinates. @o+ever# given the e,am!"e afforded $% the .CTT7s onf"i ting inter!retations of the kno+"edge re'uirement in Arti "e J6(2) of A* .# it annot $e assumed that a "itera" inter!retation of Arti "e 2J(a) +i"" $e ado!ted $% the .CC. .n fa t# the meaning of the !hrase Wo+ing to the ir umstan es at the time# shou"d have kno+n7 in Arti "e 2J(a) has a"read% $e ome a !oint of ontention +ithin internationa" "a+ "iterature. A* . and the Bome 5tatute# ho+ever# have not $een ratified $% the *hi"i!!ines# $ut "ear"% the internationa" trend is to+ards their a!!"i ation. (rom the "ong "ine of internationa" onventions and ases# it an $e seen that the do trine of ommand res!onsi$i"it% has evo"ved from its sim!"isti meaning at the time of the @ague Convention to+ards the mu h more stringent on e!t under the Bome 5tatute. @en e# in the .amas"i a ase# a ommander had the dut% to take a!!ro!riate ste!s or measures to !revent a$uses on !risoners and ivi"ians $% his su$ordinates. .n A* .# a su!erior is res!onsi$"e if he fai"s to take feasi$"e measures to !revent or re!ort vio"ations if he had kno+"edge or information of the same. .n the Medina standard# the same res!onsi$i"it% e,tends to vio"ations or a$uses $% su$ordinates *3"!3 $ !o++$nd(r <%3o 'd 3$)( &no*'(d0(= o.2 meaning that the ommander is no+ res!onsi$"e for rimina"
re!ort fina" sig

6J a ts of his su$ordinates of +hi h he had $!t $' or !on%tr !t")( &no*'(d0(. .n the .CTT 5tatute and in the ases of Aelali! and Blas$i!# the ommander is "ia$"e if he fai"s to a t +hen he 83$d r($%on to &no*9 that offenses +ou"d $e or have $een ommitted $% his su$ordinates. The Bome 5tatute ado!ts the stri ter 8%3o 'd 3$)( &no*n9 standard# in +hi h the ommander 3$% $n $.."r+$t")( d t6 to &((/ 3"+%('. "n.or+(d o. t3( $!t")"t"(% o. % 5ord"n$t(%. C"ear"%# the indu$ita$"e trend in internationa" "a+ is to !"a e greater and heavier res!onsi$i"it% on those +ho are in !ositions of ommand or ontro" over mi"itar% and !o"i e !ersonne"# the on"% for es +ith the most "etha" +ea!ons at their dis!osa".

#. L$*

Co++$nd R(%/on%"5"'"t6 $% G"nd"n0 C %to+$r6 Int(rn$t"on$'

As ear"% as 1E/E# the *hi"i!!ine 5u!reme Court had the o asion to ru"e that the @ague Convention# in "uding the do trine of ommand res!onsi$i"it%# +as ado!ted as a genera""% a e!ted !rin i!"e of internationa" "a+ $% the *hi"i!!ines. .n this ase# short"% after the end of Hor"d Har ..# 5higenori 0uroda# a Aieutenant :enera" in the ?a!anese .m!eria" Arm%# 'uestioned $efore the 5u!reme Court the reation of a mi"itar% tri$una" that tried him for his 8 ommand res!onsi$i"it%9 in fai"ing to !revent his troo!s from ommitting a$uses and atro ities against the (i"i!ino !o!u"a e during Hor"d Har ... @e "aimed that the @ague Convention on Bu"es and Begu"ations overing Aand Harfare# of +hi h he +as a used of vio"ating# among others# +as ina!!"i a$"e sin e the *hi"i!!ines +as not %et a signator% or !art% to it +hen the a""eged vio"ations took !"a e. .n ru"ing against 0uroda7s o$3e tion# the 5u!reme Court of the *hi"i!!inesE1 ategori a""% stated that +hi"e the *hi"i!!ines +as indeed not a !art% or signator% to the @ague Convention at the times in 'uestion# it nonethe"ess em$odied genera""% a e!ted !rin i!"es of internationa" "a+ ado!ted $% the 1E-5 Constitution as !art of the "a+ of the "and. The 5u!reme Court# through Chief ?usti e <oran# statedF

)1

In Kuroda v. Jalandoni, G.R. "o. 2#2662. 3ar'h 26, 1)$)6 )0 7hil. ,0 /1)(10

re!ort fina" sig

6E It !$nnot 5( d(n"(d t3$t t3( r '(% $nd r(0 '$t"on% o. t3( F$0 ( $nd G(n()$ !on)(nt"on% .or+ /$rt o. $nd $r( *3o''6 5$%(d on t3( 0(n(r$''6 $!!(/t(d /r"n!"/'(% o. "nt(rn$t"on$' '$*. .n fa t# these ru"es and !rin i!"es +ere a e!ted $% the t+o $e""igerent nations# the )nited 5tates and ?a!an# +ho +ere signatories to the t+o Conventions. S !3 r '(% $nd /r"n!"/'(%2 t3(r(.or(2 .or+ /$rt o. t3( '$* o. o r n$t"on ()(n ". t3( P3"'"//"n(% *$% not $ %"0n$tor6 to t3( !on)(nt"on% (+5od6"n0 t3(+# for our Constitution has $een de"i$erate"% genera" and e,tensive in its s o!e and is not onfined to the re ognition of ru"es and !rin i!"es of internationa" "a+ as ontained in treaties to +hi h our government ma% have $een or sha"" $e a signator%.E2 Cven +ithout Curoda# the do trine of ommand res!onsi$i"it% has tru"% a 'uired the status of ustomar% internationa" "a+# and is thus $inding on a"" nations des!ite the "a k of an% ratified treat% em$od%ing it# at "east insofar as the *hi"i!!ines is on erned. .ts "ong and universa""% a e!ted a!!"i ation sin e HH. unti" the !resent a""o+s this. .n fa t# $ased on the 3uris!ruden e of the ad "o! internationa" tri$una"s# and of other internationa" tri$una"s and nationa" ourts# as +e"" as on state !ra ti e# no "ess than the .nternationa" Committee on the Bed Cross (8.CBC9)# has !ronoun ed the fo""o+ing as a ru"e of ustomar% internationa" humanitarian "a+# in $oth internationa" and non1internationa" armed onf"i ts# $inding on a"" 5tatesF Bu"e 15-. Commanders and other su!eriors are rimina""% res!onsi$"e for +ar rimes ommitted $% their su$ordinates if the% kne+# or had reason to kno+# that the su$ordinates +ere a$out to ommit or +ere ommitting su h rimes and did not take a"" ne essar% and reasona$"e measures in their !o+er to !revent their ommission# or if su h rimes had $een ommitted# to !unish the !ersons res!onsi$"e.E<ore interesting"%# the *hi"i!!ines# even if not a !art% to Additiona" *roto o" . to the 1E/E :eneva Conventions# is among the states ited $% the .CBC +hose mi"itar% manua"s# mi"itar% instru tions# and "egis"ation s!e if% the res!onsi$i"it% of ommanders for the rimes of their su$ordinates# onfirming that the a$ove ru"e has r%sta""i&ed into a norm of ustomar% internationa" humanitarian "a+.E/ .n truth# the *hi"i!!ine Armed (or es7 o+n Arti "es of Har re ogni&es a
)2 )

ommander7s res!onsi$i"it% for the a tions of his su$ordinates

Id., emphasis supplied. 8%"C9*%R!S, :%*"#3*RI% /200(0. )$ Id., at ((), fn. $(.
re!ort fina" sig

*";

21.IS% ;1S4*2; <%C9, I C.S!13*R= I"!%R"*!I1"*2 8.3*"I!*RI*" 2*4 ((8

70 under the genera" !rovision that a ommander must maintain dis i!"ine +ithin his ranks. Thus# Arti "e E7 of the Arti "es of Har statesF :enera" Arti "e. Though not mentioned in arti "es# a"" disorders and neg"e ts to the !re3udi e of good order and dis i!"ine and a"" ondu t of a nature to $ring dis redit u!on the mi"itar% servi es sha"" $e taken ogni&an e of $% a genera" or s!e ia" or summar% ourt martia" a ording to the nature and degree of the offense# and !unished at the dis retion of su h ourt. Aike+ise# the utteran e of statements +hi h tend to indu e su$ordinates to mis$ehave# su h as +ords that +ou"d ins!ire su$ordinates to ommit e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings# is ategori a""% !unished in times of +ar under Arti "e 76 of the Arti "es of Har. (urthermore# Arti "e 105 of the Arti "es of Har re ogni&es the dut% of ommanding offi er to !unish men under his ommand for 8minor offenses9 and im!oses a !ena"t% for his fai"ure to mete out the a!!ro!riate !ena"t% +hen there is enough eviden e to +arrant su h dis i!"inar% measure. @en e# it is "ear that the do trine of ommand res!onsi$i"it% in genera" has $een ado!ted $% the *hi"i!!inesEF# as a genera""% a e!ted !rin i!"e of internationa" "a+# and hen e# as !art of the "a+ of the "and. The do trine7s refinements and restatements ; A* . and the Bome 5tatute# +hi"e signed $% $ut as of %et "a king ratifi ation $% the *hi"i!!ines# ma% $e onsidered simi"ar"% a!!"i a$"e and $inding. This +as !ro$a$"% !ut $est $% ?usti e *erfe to in his se!arate o!inion in .amas"i a v. S yer#E6 +here he statedF T3( tr($t"(% (nt(r(d "nto 5(t*((n +(+5(r% o. t3( .$+"'6 o. n$t"on% $r( 5 t %/(!"."! d(."n"t"on% $nd r("n.or!(+(nt% o. t3( 0(n(r$' !o++on '$* o. n$t"on%2 t3( I n*r"tt(nI r '(% o. *$r.$r(2 *3"!3 .or !(nt r"(% 3$)( '"+"t(d t3( +(t3od $nd +$nn(r o. !ond !t"n0 *$r%. The ommon "a+ of nations# $% +hi h a"" states are and must $e $ound# di tates that +arfare sha"" $e arried on on"% in a ordan e +ith $asi onsiderations of humanit% and hiva"r%.

,.

Int(rn$t"on$' $nd St$t( R(%/on%"5"'"t6

)(

E6

.nder the pronoun'ement in Kuroda. 75 *hi". 56-# :.B. No. A112E. >e em$er 1E# 1E/5.

re!ort fina" sig

71 Hhi"e the ki""ings are ertain"% not attri$uta$"e to the mi"itar%

organi&ation itse"f# or the 5tate# $ut on"% to individua"s or grou!s a ting !ursuant to their o+n interests# this does not mean that the 5tate an sit id"% $% and refuse to a t. )"timate"%# the 5tate has the res!onsi$i"it% of !rote ting its iti&ens and making sure that their fundamenta" "i$erties are res!e ted. The gro+ing +or"d+ide onsensus for state res!onsi$i"it% for non1state a ts !osits that if the 5tate fai"s to investigate# !rose ute or redress !rivate# non1 state a ts in vio"ation of fundamenta" "i$erties# it is in effe t aiding the !er!etrators of su h vio"ations# for +hi h it ou"d $e he"d res!onsi$"e under internationa" "a+. Of note is the ru"ing of The .nter Ameri an Court of @uman Bights in Gelas4ue#-1odrigues v. =onduras#E7 vi&F 172. KQL An i""ega" a t +hi h vio"ates human rights and +hi h is initia""% not dire t"% im!uta$"e to a 5tate (for e,am!"e# $e ause it is the a t of !rivate !erson or $e ause the !erson res!onsi$"e has not $een identified) !$n '($d to "nt(rn$t"on$' r(%/on%"5"'"t6 o. t3( St$t(# not $e ause of the a t itse"f# $ut $e ause of the '$!& o. d ( d"'"0(n!( to /r()(nt t3( )"o'$t"on or to r(%/ond to "t as re'uired $% the Convention. 17-. KQL Hhat is de isive is +hether a vio"ation of the rights re ogni&ed $% the Convention has o urred +ith the su!!ort or the a 'uies en e of the government# or +hether the 5tate has a""o+ed the a t to take !"a e +ithout taking measures to !revent it or to !unish those res!onsi$"e. Thus# the Court7s task is to determine +hether the vio"ation is the resu"t of a 5tate7s fai"ure to fu"fi"" its dut% to res!e t and guarantee those rights# as re'uired $% Arti "e 1 (1) of the Convention. 17/. T3( St$t( 3$% $ '(0$' d t6 to t$&( r($%on$5'( %t(/% to /r()(nt 3 +$n r"03t% )"o'$t"on% $nd to %( t3( +($n% $t "t% d"%/o%$' to !$rr6 o t $ %(r"o % "n)(%t"0$t"on o. )"o'$t"on% !o++"tt(d *"t3"n "t% D r"%d"!t"on2 to "d(nt".6 t3o%( r(%/on%"5'(2 to "+/o%( t3( $//ro/r"$t( / n"%3+(nt $nd to (n% r( t3( )"!t"+ $d(> $t( !o+/(n%$t"on. 175. This dut% to !revent in "udes a"" those means of a "ega"# !o"iti a"# administrative and u"tura" nature that !romote the !rote tion of human rights and ensure that an% vio"ations are onsidered and treated as i""ega" a ts# +hi h# as su h# ma% "ead to the !unishment of those res!onsi$"e and the o$"igation to indemnif% the vi tims for damages KQL
Case No. 7E20# ?u"% 2E# 1EJJG 'uoted $% then ?usti e# no+ Chief ?usti e Be%nato 5. *uno in 0iber y and Prosperi y, *ane" *a!er de"ivered at the Nationa" (orum on Ai$ert% and *ros!erit%# <ani"a @ote"# August 25# 2006. The Convention referred to therein is the Ameri an Convention on @uman Bights# or the 8*a t of 5an ?ose# Costa Bi a.9
),

re!ort fina" sig

72

177. .n ertain ir umstan es# it ma% $e diffi u"t to investigate a ts that vio"ate an individua"7s rights. T3( d t6 to "n)(%t"0$t(2 '"&( t3( d t6 to /r()(nt2 "% not 5r($!3(d +(r('6 5(!$ %( t3( "n)(%t"0$t"on do(% not /rod !( $ %$t"%.$!tor6 r(% 't. N()(rt3('(%%2 "t + %t 5( nd(rt$&(n "n $ %(ro % +$nn(r $nd not $% $ +(r( .or+$'"t6 /r(ord$"n(d to 5( "n(..(!t")(. An investigation must have an o$3e tive and $e assumed $% the 5tate as its o+n "ega" dut%# not as a ste! taken $% !rivate interests that de!ends u!on the initiative of the vi tim or his fami"% or u!on their offer of !roof# +ithout an effe tive sear h for the truth $% the government. This is true regard"ess of +hat agent is eventua""% found res!onsi$"e for the vio"ation. Hhere the a ts of !rivate !arties that vio"ate the onvention are not serious"% investigated# those !arties are aided in a sense $% the government# there$% making the 5tate res!onsi$"e on the internationa" !"ane. EJ

The .nter1Ameri an Court of @uman Bights eventua""% found @onduras# as a state# "ia$"e for the !ro"onged detention and disa!!earan e of a detainee# there$% entit"ing the vi tim7s fami"% to damages. The same offenses ma% a"so give rise to "ia$i"it% for the ommanders for damages under the muni i!a" "a+ of other 5tates. .n another ase re"evant to the *hi"i!!ine setting# /a6i)o (ilao v. *state o& Ferdinand /arcosEE de ided $% the Ninth Cir uit of ).5. Court of A!!ea"s# vi tims and fami"ies of vi tims of human rights vio"ations during the administration of *res. (erdinand <ar os fi"ed a "ass suit against the estate of the "ate *resident seeking damages for human rights a$uses ommitted against them or their de edents. The !rin i!a" defense of the <ar os Cstate +as that the Cstate +ou"d on"% $e he"d "ia$"e for 8a ts a tua""% ommitted $% (erdinand <ar os9. The ).5. Cir uit Court of A!!ea"s re3e ted this defense under the do trine of ommand res!onsi$i"it%# ho"ding that 8KAL higher offi ia" need not have !ersona""% !erformed or ordered the a$uses in order to $e he"d "ia$"e9 and that 8KBLes!onsi$i"it% for torture# summar% e,e ution# or disa!!earan es e,tends $e%ond the !erson +ho a tua""% ommitted those a ts ; an%one +ith higher authorit% +ho authori&ed# to"erated or kno+ing"% ignored those a ts is "ia$"e for them.9100 This sho+s that res!onsi$i"it% for a ts ommitted in vio"ation of ustomar% internationa" "a+ ma%

)8 ))

Id., emphasis supplied. 10 >.2d ,6,. 100 %mphasis and unders'orin5 supplied.
re!ort fina" sig

7$e re ogni&ed outside the state +here the% +ere ommitted $% the internationa" ommunit%.

-. R(%/on%"5"'"t6 .or &"''"n0% "% '"+"t(d to "nd")"d $' o.."!(r% $nd r(> "r(% . rt3(r /roo. o. $ *ron0. ' $!t or o+"%%"on.

Hhi"e 5tate res!onsi$i"it% is !ossi$"e for !rivate a ts# there is no $asis to ho"d "ia$"e the entire mi"itar% "eadershi!# or even the entire "eadershi! of one of its $ran hes2 under the do trine of ommand res!onsi$i"it%. The findings herein do not 3ustif% a ru"ing that ea h and ever% high1ranking offi er in the mi"itar%# or the institution itse"f# shou"d $e he"d "ia$"e for the ki""ings. .n an% ase# !o++$nd r(%/on%"5"'"t6 %3o 'd $'*$6% 5( !o /'(d *"t3 $ ! '/$5'( $!t or o+"%%"on. F(n!(2 ". "t "% %3o*n t3$t t3( o.."!(r !on!(rn(d too& t3( $//ro/r"$t( %t(/% to $ddr(%% t3( )"o'$t"on% o. 3"% % 5ord"n$t(%2 t3(n 3( !$nnot 5( 3('d '"$5'( .or t3(+ nd(r t3( do!tr"n( o. !o++$nd r(%/on%"5"'"t6 . .n a""# ommand res!onsi$i"it% sim!"% re'uires a measure of di"igen e and integrit% on the !art of the ommander. @e annot sim!"% "et his men run amu k +ithout his ontro" or dis i!"ine in the same +a% that he annot turn a $"ind e%e to atro ities ommitted $% them. I. d"'"0(n!( "n t3( /(r.or+$n!( o. d t6 "% %3o*n2 t3(n t3( !o++$nd(r !$nnot 5( 3('d r(%/on%"5'(. No eviden e +as !resented to the Commission that# in regard to the a tivities of :enera" *a"!aran# he +as a""ed u!on to a ount for and to e,!"ain the same $% his su!eriors. .ndeed# :enera" *a"!aran7s !u$"i statements a"one ou"d have !rovoked dis i!"inar% a tion against him# not to mention ourt martia"# for vio"ation of the Arti "es of Har. These offenses are serious and annot sim!"% $e $rushed aside. .t +as# thus# more om!e""ing for the !ro!er offi ers in the A(* "eadershi! at "east to investigate the utteran es and $ehavior of :enera" *a"!aran and the ki""ings $ehind them. .n the same vein# under the do trine of ommand res!onsi$i"it%# it +as not !ro!er to ontend that no a tion under the ir umstan es +as taken $e ause no om!"aint had $een "odged against :en. *a"!aran and2or that an%+a%# Task (or e )sig ou"d ver% +e"" have a""ed him to a ount for his a tions and +ords.

re!ort fina" sig

7/ Fort n$t('62 t3( Pr(%"d(nt *$%2 $% % $'2 on to/ o. t3( %"t $t"on . 5he

!rom!t"% re ogni&ed the need for offi ia" state a tion to address +hat she fe"t +as a distur$ing rise in the num$er of ki""ings of media men and a tivists. 5he re ogni&ed that she had the dut% to address the situation a!!ro!riate"%. 5he reated Task (or e )sig to !rioriti&e the investigation of the ki""ings. Hhi"e Task (or e )sig +as !"agued +ith diffi u"ties# this at "east sho+ed that the government +as serious"% going to do its dut% to address these ki""ings. .n the same vein# the *resident7s reation of this inde!endent Commission is testimon% to her ommitment to unearth the etio"og% of these ki""ings and ho!efu""% to !revent further ki""ings# as +e"" as to $ring the !er!etrators thereof to 3usti e. 5ad"%# her gesture has $een "arge"% misinter!reted $% her !o"iti a" o!!onents as a 8+hite+ash#9 +hi h# as this re!ort itse"f +i"" sho+# is not the ase.

V.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Commission7s re ommendations# +hi h most"% fa"" +ithin the *rin i!"es on the Cffe tive *revention and .nvestigation of C,tra1"ega"# Ar$itrar% and 5ummar% C,e utions# re ommended $% the C onomi and 5o ia" Coun i" of the )nited Nations on <a% 2/# 1EJE# are as fo""o+sF

A.

Po'"t"!$' *"''

Hith res!e t to the re ent ki""ing of A$ra Be!resentative Auis 4ersamin# ?r.# the *resident vo+ed that the !er!etrators# mastermind# and a""# +i"" $e $rought to 3usti e. As regards the ommunist insurgen %# the *resident has ordered the armed for es to rush it +ithin t+o %ears. .n the fie"d of e,tra"ega" ki""ings# it is urged that the *resident reiterate in the strongest !ossi$"e manner her e,!ressions or !ronoun ements of determination and firm reso"ve to sto! the same. .f e,tra3udi ia" e,e utions are

re!ort fina" sig

75 to $e sto!!ed# the !o"iti a" +i"" to do +hat is right ho+ever great the ost must !ervade a"" "eve"s of government so that our $e"oved ountr% an move to+ards the greater idea"s of demo ra % and 3usti eG it must start +ith the *resident +ho must !ursue the !revention and !rose ution of e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings +ith urgen % and fervor. As re ommended $% Amnest% .nternationa"# the :overnment must onsistent"% and at a"" "eve"s ondemn !o"iti a" ki""ings. The *resident and a"" the de!artments of the :overnment shou"d make "ear to a"" mem$ers of the !o"i e and mi"itar% for es that e,tra3udi ia" e,e utions +i"" not $e ountenan ed under an% ir umstan es. G. In)(%t"0$t"on

To ensure that a"" re!orts and om!"aints of e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings against the mi"itar% are investigated !rom!t"%# im!artia""%# and effe tive"%# the investigation must $e ondu ted $% a $od% or agen % inde!endent from the armed for es. This ivi"ian investigative agen % shou"d $e inde!endent of# and not under the ommand# ontro"# or inf"uen e of the Armed (or es# and it must have ontro" of its o+n $udget. The !ersonne" must $e ivi"ian agents +e"" trained in "a+ enfor ement and investigative +ork and e'ui!!ed +ith the ne essar% arra% of te hni a" devi es to enhan e their investigative a!a$i"ities. The% must $e authori&ed to e,e ute +arrants and make arrests. The% must $e !rovided +ith an ade'uate forensi "a$orator% and other te hni a" servi es. .n the )nited 5tates# the Arm%7s !rofessiona" investigative agen % is a""ed the Crimina" .nvestigation >ivisionG the Air (or e7s is a""ed the Offi e of 5!e ia" .nvestigationG the Nav% and <arines are servi ed $% the Nava" Crimina" .nvestigation 5ervi eG and for the Coast :uard# the organi&ation is a""ed the Coast :uard .nvestigation 5ervi e. Our armed for es is not so $ig as to re'uire se!arate agen ies for its servi es. A sing"e investigating $od% +i"" $e enough. The *resident shou"d re ommend "egis"ation to Congress for the reation of a simi"ar investigation agen % to "ook into and !rose ute mi"itar% !ersonne". om!"aints against

re!ort fina" sig

76 On the !art of the *N*# the "a+ that reated the Nationa" *o"i e

Commission (Be!. A t No. 6EE5) shou"d $e amended and strengthened to ensure the thorough and im!artia" investigation of erring !o"i e offi ers $% !ersonne" not under the ontro" of the *N* ommand. .n the ondu t of the investigation of e,tra3udi ia" ki""ing of a tivists# or of an% ase for that matter# the *N* must $e en3oined to ensure that the eviden e must $e strong and suffi ient for onvi tion. The !resent !o"i % of the *N* ; as onfirmed $% *o"i e >e!ut% >ire tor :enera" Ave"ino Ba&on# ?r. in his testimon% $efore the Commission ; to onsider their 3o$ done or finished from the moment the% have fi"ed the om!"aint +ith the offi e of the !u$"i !rose utor has inevita$"% en ouraged s"o!!% and shodd% investigationsG it is not infre'uent that !o"i e investigators# es!e ia""% in remote areas# +ou"d fi"e a ase +ith the offi e of the !u$"i !rose utor# no matter ho+ inade'uate the eviden e is# 3ust so the% an sa% that the ase has $een so"ved and if it is "ater dismissed for insuffi ien % of eviden e the% $"ame the !rose utor for in om!eten e or for $eing orru!t. The offi e of the !u$"i !rose utor in ea h !rovin e or it% must assign !rose utors to revie+ a"" om!"aints fi"ed $% the !o"i e to eva"uate the suffi ien % of eviden e not on"% to determine the e,isten e of !ro$a$"e ause $ut a"so for onvi tion. .f the revie+ing !rose utor is of the o!inion that the eviden e is insuffi ient# then he must re3e t the om!"aint and return it to the !o"i e# indi ating +hat additiona" eviden e is needed. On e a om!"aint is a e!ted after su h revie+# it means that there is enough eviden e for a su essfu" !rose ution. This +i"" avoid finger !ointing on +ho is to $"ame for the dismissa" of a ase or a 'uitta" of the a used and# more im!ortant"%# om!e" the !o"i e to do a thorough 3o$ in the investigation of ever% ase. .f after the "a!se of si, (6) months from the ommission of the e,tra3udi ia" ki""ing of an a tivist or media !ersona"it% the investigation $% *N* has not %ie"ded an% !ositive resu"t# the !o"i e !ersonne" in harge must re'uest the N4. to take over the investigation. (or this !ur!ose# the N4. must $e !rovided +ith the ne essar% funds and a""o+ed to hire additiona" !ersonne" if ne essar%.

re!ort fina" sig

77 C. Pro%(! t"on

To ensure that those res!onsi$"e for the e,tra3udi ia" e,e ution of a tivists and media !eo!"e are $rought to 3usti e and that the !rose ution is hand"ed +ith effi ien % and dis!at h# the >e!artment of ?usti e (>O?) must reate a s!e ia" team of om!etent and +e""1trained !rose utors to hand"e the tria" of said ases. A"so# the >O? shou"d re'uest the 5u!reme Court to designate s!e ia" ourts to hear and tr% said ases and to re'uire the ourts so designated to give the highest !riorit% to them# ondu t dai"% hearings# and reso"ve them +ithin si, (6) months. Hith res!e t to !ending ases the !rose ution of +hi h has not $een moving for "a k of 3udges or $e ause of the fau"t or neg"igen e of the !u$"i !rose utor# the Offi e of the Chief 5tate *rose utor shou"d make re!resentations +ith the Offi e of the Court Administrator to detai" 3udges to the va ant sa"as# or to designate s!e ia" !rose utors to take over the !rose ution# as the ase ma% $e. As regards ki""ings in areas +here +itnesses are afraid to testif% $e ause of fear of re!risa"# ste!s shou"d $e taken to transfer the venue to <ani"a.

D.

Prot(!t"on o. *"tn(%%(%

As !art of the need to ensure the su essfu" !rose ution of those res!onsi$"e for e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings# the !resent Hitness *rote tion *rogram reated under Be!u$"i A t. No. 6EJ1 shou"d $e enhan ed and made more The effe tive so as to guarantee the safet% of +itnesses to the ki""ings. The e,isting !rogram is suffering from "a k of funds and ne essar% man!o+er. :overnment must give the highest !riorit% to the im!rovement# strengthening# and funding of said !rogram# !refera$"% !atterned after the ).5. federa" +itness !rote tion !rogram.101 The !rogram shou"d a"so $e made avai"a$"e to !ersons +ho have re eived death threats or +ho are other+ise in danger of e,tra"ega"# ar$itrar% or summar% e,e ution.

E.
101

S/(!"$' '$* .or %tr"!t !3$"n-o.-!o++$nd r(%/on%"5"'"t6

5ee 1J ).5.C.A. se tion -521.

re!ort fina" sig

7J

The *resident shou"d !ro!ose "egis"ation to re'uire !o"i e and mi"itar% for es and other government offi ia"s to maintain stri t hain1of1 ommand res!onsi$i"it% +ith res!e t to e,tra3udi ia" ki""ings and other offenses ommitted $% !ersonne" under their ommand# ontro" or authorit%. 5u h "egis"ation must dea" s!e ifi a""% +ith e,tra"ega"# ar$itrar%# and summar% e,e utions and for ed 8disa!!earan es9 and !rovide a!!ro!riate !ena"ties +hi h take into a ount the gravit% of the offense. .t shou"d !ena"i&e a su!erior government offi ia"# mi"itar% or other+ise# +ho en ourages# in ites# to"erates or ignores# an% e,tra3udi ia" ki""ing ommitted $% a su$ordinate. The fai"ure of su h a government offi ia" to !revent an e,tra3udi ia" ki""ing if he had a reasona$"e o!!ortunit% to do so# or his fai"ure to investigate and !unish his su$ordinate# or to other+ise take a!!ro!riate a tion to deter or !revent its ommission or !unish his erring su$ordinate shou"d $e rimina"i&ed. Cven 8genera" information9 ; e.g.# media re!orts ; +hi h +ou"d !"a e the su!erior on noti e of !ossi$"e un"a+fu" a ts $% his su$ordinate shou"d $e suffi ient to ho"d him rimina""% "ia$"e if he fai"ed to investigate and !unish his su$ordinate. There shou"d $e no re'uirement that a ausa" re"ationshi! $e esta$"ished $et+een a su!erior7s fai"ure to a t and the su$ordinate7s rimeG his "ia$i"it% under the do trine of ommand res!onsi$i"it% shou"d $e $ased on his omission to !revent the ommission of the offense or to !unish the !er!etrator.

F.

En3$n!(+(nt o. "n)(%t"0$t")( !$/$5"'"t"(% o. t3( PNP $nd NGI.

The investigative a!a$i"ities of the *N* and N4. shou"d $e im!roved and enhan ed through the fo""o+ing measures# among othersF

(a) ($) ( )

im!rovement of the forensi "a$oratories and e'ui!ment of the *N* and N4. and further training of forensi te hni iansG esta$"ishment of a nationa" automated $a""isti information s%stemG !ro urement of a soft+are !rogram for sus!e tsG om!osite sket hes of

re!ort fina" sig

7E (d) (e) ado!tion of rime ma!!ing in a"" !o"i e stations and N4. offi esG and strengthening of the information re+ard s%stem.

G.

Pro/(r or"(nt$t"on $nd tr$"n"n0 o. %(! r"t6 .or!(%.

*erha!s mu h of the fai"ure of the !ro!er and a ounta$"e offi ers to !revent# investigate# or !unish rimina" a ts $% their su$ordinates stems from a "a k of !ro!er understanding and em!hasis on the !resent on e!t of ommand res!onsi$i"it%. The A(* shou"d $e en ouraged and su!!orted to ondu t intensive seminars# orientations# or training for mid to high1ranking offi ers# to make them ons ious of the !revai"ing do trines of ommand res!onsi$i"it%# and the ramifi ations thereof. This +i"" ho!efu""% foster res!onsi$i"it% and a ounta$i"it% among the offi ers on erned# as +e"" as the men the% ommand. )nderstanda$"e is the mi"itar%7s +ariness in dea"ing +ith the !art% "ist organi&ations. @o+ever# un"ess other+ise de "ared outside the "a+ $% om!etent authorit%# these organi&ations shou"d $e treated +ith fairness and their mem$ers shou"d not $e uni"atera""% onsidered as 8enemies of the state.9 As suggested in Amnest% .nternationa"7s 1/1!oint *rogram for the !revention of e,tra1"ega" e,e utionsF 8The !rohi$ition of e,tra13udi ia" e,e utions shou"d $e ref"e ted in the training of a"" offi ia"s invo"ved in the arrest and ustod% of !risoners and a"" offi ia"s authori&ed to use "etha" for e and in the instru tions issued to them. These offi ia"s shou"d $e instru ted that the% have the right and dut% to refuse to o$e% an% order to !arti i!ate in an e,tra3udi ia" e,e ution. An order from a su!erior offi er or a !u$"i authorit% must never $e invoked as a 3ustifi ation for taking !art in an e,tra13udi ia" e,e ution.9

VI.

CONCLUSION

.n an ient 5!arta# "ife +as di tated $% +ar. .n those tur$u"ent times# it% states +ere a"most onstant"% at +ar ; +ith other neigh$oring it% states and
re!ort fina" sig

J0 +ith marauding invaders. Thus# a strong mi"itar% +as a$so"ute"% ne essar% to the surviva" of the state. A"" ma"e 5!artan iti&ens +ere automati a""% +arriors# and had to train and eventua""% fight as su h. 5u h mi"itarism gave 5!arta its greatness. The va"or of its +arriors and their unf"in hing mi"itar% dis i!"ine are "egendar%# even to this da%. The% +ere the strands +ith +hi h +as +oven the fa$ri of 5!artan so iet%. Cver%thing revo"ved around the 5!artan +arriors. .ndeed# it +as stated that# un"ike other an ient it%1states su h as Athens or Bome# one an no "onger see great tem!"es# !a"a es or $ui"dings in +hat +as on e 5!arta# $ut sti"" the va"orous deeds of 5!artans are re a""ed and remain standards of mi"itar% organi&ations. 5!artans# as the% are "egendar% no+# +ere !ro$a$"% a+e1ins!iring then. 5o great +as their mi"itar% !ro+ess that a mere three hundred of them# reinfor ed $% on"% a handfu" of a""ies# he"d off the invading *ersian hordes at Thermo!%"ae# thus a""o+ing !re ious time for the rest of the :reek a""ies to organi&e a defense. @istor% sho+s that it !a%s to have a might% armed for e The *ersians +ere eventua""% defeated. .n modern times# the im!ortan e of the armed for es annot $e taken "ight"%. .n the *hi"i!!ines# the "a k of a ohesive and dis i!"ined armed for e a""o+ed the o"oni&ation of the ountr% $% 5!ain. The same reason "ed the Ameri ans to sim!"% take the ountr% a+a% from 5!ain# and 'ue"" the (i"i!ino resistan e. .n the ear"% stages of Hor"d Har .. in the *a ifi # ?a!an7s mi"itar% might over+he"med its enemies# in "uding the *hi"i!!ines# though $o"stered $% Ameri an troo!s and ordnan e. of the g"o$e. Toda%# the im!ortan e of the mi"itar% is not "ost u!on this Commission. .t is a$so"ute"% ne essar% $e ause of the threat to the nation !osed $% ommunist insurgen %. The Constitution !rovides that 8KtLhe Armed (or es of the *hi"i!!ines is the !rote tor of the !eo!"e and the 5tate.9102 The Armed (or es of
102

.ndeed# one of the main reasons for the

o"oni&ers is that the *hi"i!!ines o u!ies a strategi mi"itar% "o ation in this !art

5ee 5e tion -# Arti "e .. of the Constitution.

re!ort fina" sig

J1 the *hi"i!!ines# as !rote tor of the !eo!"e# is mandated to rid the ountr% of su h insurgen %. V(r"'62 t3( AFP $% $ *3o'( r(+$"n% 'o6$' to t3( Con%t"t t"on. Hhi"e ommunist insurgen % must $e addressed# the fight against it must not $e at the e,!ense of the Constitution and the "a+s of the nation# and it hard"% needs em!hasi&ing# not at the e,!ense of inno ent ivi"ians. The armed for es is not a state +ithin a state# nor are its mem$ers outside the am$it of the Constitution or of the ru"e of "a+. Ours is a government of "a+s# not of men. On the !ervading rea h of the ru"e of "a+# a "ega" "uminar% o!ined thusF

The ru"e of "a+ is su!!osed to !ervade our "ega" s%stemQ. The ru"e of "a+ has $een onsidered# in a government "ike ours# as e'uiva"ent to the su!rema % of the Constitution. .t is genera""% re ogni&ed that the Constitution sets the "imits on the !o+ers of governmentG it !revents ar$itrar% ru"e and des!otismG it insures government $% "a+# instead of government $% +i""# +hi h is t%rann% $ased on naked for e.10-

.n the *hi"i!!ines# 3ust "ike in an% ru"e1a$iding so iet%# there e,ists a hierar h% of human !ositive "a+s# the highest of +hi h is the Constitution# 8$eing the highest e,!ression of the sovereign +i"" of the (i"i!ino !eo!"e.910/ The !rin i!"e of Constitutiona" su!rema % +as e,!"ained $% an eminent authorit% in Constitutiona" "a+ in this +iseF KThe ConstitutionL is Wthe +ritten instrument agreed u!on $% the !eo!"eQ as the a$so"ute ru"e of a tion and de ision for a"" de!artments and offi ers of the governmentQ and in o!!osition to +hi h an% a t or ru"e of an% de!artment or offi er of the government# or even of the !eo!"e themse"ves# +i"" $e a"together void.7 .t is# in other +ords# the su!reme +ritten "a+ of the "and.105

To"entino# Arturo. T"e 1ule of 0a' and our -ons i u ion# -6 ).5.T. A. BC6. /1 K1EJ5L 5ee Sena e v. /rmi a, :.B.Nos. 16E777# 16E65E# 16E660# 16E667# 16EJ-/# 17112/6# 20 A!ri" 2006# +here the 5u!reme Court de "aredF (or the Constitution# $eing the highest e,!ression of the sovereign +i"" of the (i"i!ino !eo!"e# must !revai" over an% issuan e of the government that ontravenes its mandates.
10 10$

105

4ernas# ?oa'uin# 5.?.# T"e HEIJ P"ilippine -ons i u ion, A -ommen ary# !. ,,,iv1v (1EE6 Cd.)G !i ing Coo"e%# -ons i u ional 0imi a ions - (1J6J)G em!hasis su!!"ied.
re!ort fina" sig

J2 8The *hi"i!!ines#9 de "ares the Constitution# 8is a demo rati and

re!u$"i an 5tate.9106 An essentia" hara teristi of su h 5tate is the ru"e of "a+# +hi h !rin i!"e is e,!ress"% mentioned in the Constitution7s *ream$"e. A ording to the !revious"% ited authorit%# the ru"e of "a+ 8e,!resses the on e!t that government offi ia"s have on"% the authorit% given them $% "a+ and defined $% "a+# and that su h authorit% ontinues on"% +ith the onsent of the !eo!"e9107 Thus# +ithout an% hesitation# the 5u!reme Court in -allan a v. Kffi!e of "e Kmbudsman10J de "ared that 8KiLn our 3urisdi tion# the ru"e of "a+# and not of men# governs#9 +hi"e in Gillavi!en!io v. 0u$ban,HLE it u!he"d the !rima % of "a+ $% de "aring that 8KnLo offi ia"# no matter ho+ high# is a$ove the "a+.9 The rationa"e for this ru"e of "a+ +as !ro$a$"% $est e,!ressed $% 4randeis in this +iseF .n a government of "a+s# e,isten e of the government +i"" $e im!eri"ed if it fai"s to o$serve the "a+ s ru!u"ous"%. Our government is the !otent omni!resent tea her. (or good or i""# it tea hes the +ho"e !eo!"e $% e,am!"e. Crime is ontagious. .f the government $e omes the "a+ $reaker# it $reeds ontem!t for the "a+# it invites ever% man to $e ome a "a+ unto himse"f# it invites anar h%. To de "are that in the administration of rimina" "a+ the end 3ustifies the means . . . . +ou"d $ring terri$"e retri$ution.110

.n fa t# the 5u!reme Court is not unfami"iar +ith the !resent situation. Of !arti u"ar interest is the ase of Aber!a v. Ger.111 .n ru"ing that !re1em!tive strikes $% the mi"itar% against sus!e ted ommunist safehouses vio"ated the ivi" rights of the vi tims# and thus made the !er!etrators thereof "ia$"e for damages# the 5u!reme Court# through ?usti e *edro A. Ta!# stated. .ts message is "earG no man ma% seek to vio"ate those sa red rights +ith im!unit%. .n times of great u!heava" or of so ia" and !o"iti a" stress# +hen the tem!tation is strongest to %ie"d = $orro+ing the +ords of Chief ?usti e C"audio Teehankee = to the "a+ of for e rather than the for e of "a+# it is ne essar% to remind ourse"ves that ertain $asi rights and "i$erties are immuta$"e and annot $e sa rifi ed to the transient needs or im!erious demands of
106 10,

5e tion 1# Arti "e .. of the Constitution. <ernas, :oa?uin, S.: # T"e HEIJ -ons i u ion, A 1evie'er-Primer, !. - (/th Cd.# 2002). 108 :.B. Nos. 11525-17/# -0 ?anuar% 1EEJ. 10) -E *hi". 77J (1E1E).
110 111

1 l!stead v. U.S. 2,, ..S. $ 86 :. <randeis, dissentin5 opinion. 160 SCR* ()06 G.R. "o. 2#6)866. *pril 1(, 1)88

re!ort fina" sig

Jthe ru"ing !o+er. The ru"e of "a+ must !revai"# or e"se "i$ert% +i"" !erish. Our ommitment to demo rati !rin i!"es and to the ru"e of "a+ om!e"s us to re3e t the vie+ +hi h redu es "a+ to nothing $ut the e,!ression of the +i"" of the !redominant !o+er in the ommunit%. ID(+o!r$!6 !$nnot 5( $ r("0n o. /ro0r(%%2 o. '"5(rt62 o. D %t"!(2 n'(%% t3( '$* "% r(%/(!t(d 56 3"+ *3o +$&(% "t $nd 56 3"+ .or *3o+ "t "% +$d(. No* t3"% r(%/(!t "+/'"(% $ +$C"+ + o. .$"t32 $ +"n"+ + o. "d($'"%+. On going to the $ottom of the matter# +e dis over that "ife demands of us a ertain residuum of sentiment +hi h is not derived from reason# $ut +hi h reason neverthe"ess ontro"s. , , ,

.t ma% $e that the res!ondents# as mem$ers of the Armed (or es of the *hi"i!!ines# +ere mere"% res!onding to their dut%# as the% "aim# Vto !revent or su!!ress "a+"ess vio"en e# insurre tion# re$e""ion and su$versionV in a ordan e +ith *ro "amation No. 205/ of *resident <ar os# des!ite the "ifting of martia" "a+ on ?anuar% 27# 1EJ1# and in !ursuan e of su h o$3e tive# to '$ n!3 /r((+/t")( %tr"&(% $0$"n%t $''(0(d !o++ n"%t t(rror"%t nd(r0ro nd 3o %(%. 4ut this annot $e onstrued as a $"anket "i ense or a roving ommission untramme"ed $% an% onstitutiona" restraint# to disregard or transgress u!on the rights and "i$erties of the individua" iti&en enshrined in and !rote ted $% the Constitution. The Constitution remains the su!reme "a+ of the "and to +hi h a"" offi ia"s# high or "o+# ivi"ian or mi"itar%# o+e o$edien e and a""egian e at a"" times. , , ,

4e that as it ma%# ho+ever# the de isive fa tor in this ase# in our vie+# is the "anguage of Arti "e -2. The "a+ s!eaks of an offi er or em!"o%ee or !erson Vdire t"%V or Vindire t"%V res!onsi$"e for the vio"ation of the onstitutiona" rights and "i$erties of another. Thus# it is not the a tor a"one (i.e. the one dire t"% res!onsi$"e) +ho must ans+er for damages under Arti "e -2G t3( /(r%on "nd"r(!t'6 r(%/on%"5'( 3$% $'%o to $n%*(r .or t3( d$+$0(% or "nD r6 !$ %(d to t3( $00r"()(d /$rt6. 4% this !rovision# t3( /r"n!"/'( o. $!!o nt$5"'"t6 o. / 5'"! o.."!"$'% under the Constitution a 'uires added meaning and assumes a "arger dimension. No 'on0(r +$6 $ % /(r"or o.."!"$' r('$C 3"% )"0"'$n!( or $5d"!$t( 3"% d t6 to % /(r)"%( 3"% % 5ord"n$t(%2 %(! r( "n t3( t3o 03t t3$t 3( do(% not 3$)( to $n%*(r .or t3( tr$n%0r(%%"on% !o++"tt(d 56 t3( '$tt(r $0$"n%t t3( !on%t"t t"on$''6 /rot(!t(d r"03t% $nd '"5(rt"(% o. t3( !"t"A(n. *art of the fa tors that !ro!e""ed !eo!"e !o+er in (e$ruar% 1EJ6 +as the +ide"% he"d !er e!tion that the government +as a""ous or indifferent to# if not a tua""% res!onsi$"e for# the ram!ant vio"ations of human rights. Hhi"e it +ou"d ertain"% $e too naive to e,!e t that vio"ators of human rights +ou"d easi"% $e deterred $% the !ros!e t of fa ing damage suits# it shou"d nonethe"ess $e made
re!ort fina" sig

J/ "ear in no un ertain terms that Arti "e -2 of the Civi" Code makes the !ersons +ho are dire t"%# as +e"" as indire t"%# res!onsi$"e for the transgression 3oint tortfeasors.112

Cven assuming that these vi tims and these 8enemies of the state9 are indeed gui"t% of rimes against the nation# t3(6 3$)( not 5((n !on)"!t(d o. t3( %$"d o..(n%(%. .f some mi"itar% e"ements indeed had reason to $e"ieve that these !ersons +ere N*A agents or o!eratives# then the% ou"d have sim!"% instituted the !ro!er rimina" a tions against them and had them arrested. G6 d(!'$r"n0 /(r%on% (n(+"(% o. t3( %t$t(2 $nd "n (..(!t2 $dD d0"n0 t3(+ 0 "'t6 o. !r"+(%2 t3(%( /(r%on% 3$)( $rro0$t(d nto t3(+%(')(% t3( /o*(r o. t3( !o rt% $nd o. t3( (C(! t")( 5r$n!3 o. 0o)(rn+(nt. .t is as if their 3udgment isF These !eo!"e# as enemies of the state# deserve to $e s"ain on sight. This# the% annot do. 5u h an a$use of !o+er strikes at the ver% heart of freedom and demo ra %# +hi h are# ironi a""%# the ver% $%"ines and !rin i!"es these rogue e"ements invoke in seeking the 8neutra"i&ation9 of these so1 a""ed enemies of state. This Commission is not ignorant or unmindfu" of the rimes ommitted $% insurgents# nor of the $enefits of having a de ent mi"itar% to defend our freedom and +a% of "ife. To 5( % r(2 t3o%( %'$"n 56 r(5('% $nd "n% r0(nt% .$r <an% of o tn +5(r t3( &"''"n0% $ttr"5 t(d 56 t3( '(.t"%t to t3( 0o)(rn+(nt.

our sons# hus$ands# and fathers have $een s"ain or in3ured in en ounters +ith the N*A# or have $een assassinated $% dreaded hitmen or mo+ed do+n in am$us ades and other a ts of terrorism of the C**1N*A. )nderstanda$"e# 3ustified# and ommenda$"e# in fa t# is the fervor +ith +hi h the 5tate# through the mi"itar%# fee"s the need to avenge these heroes +ho !erished in the defense of the ountr%. @o+ever# this shou"d not $e at the ost of the freedom +e are !rote ting in the first !"a e. The mi"itar% and !o"i e authorities are "auda$"e and ne essar% institutions# +hose smooth o!eration a ording to the Constitution is a$so"ute"% essentia" to the ountr%7s se urit%. T3( +"'"t$r6 %3o 'd not 5( $''o*(d to d(%!(nd to t3( '()(' o. t3( "n% r0(nt% $nd r(5('% t3(+%(')(% *"t3 t3("r '$*'(%%2 tr($!3(ro % +(t3odo'o0"(%. .t is in this "ight that the +hi! must $e ra ked to $ring the rogue mi"itar% e"ements $a k in "ine.
112

Id., at 601#6066 emphasis supplied.

re!ort fina" sig

J5

The +ords of the 5u!reme Court in Aber!a v. GerHH3 are aproposF This is not to sa% that mi"itar% authorities are restrained from !ursuing their assigned task or arr%ing out their mission +ith vigor. He have no 'uarre" +ith their dut% to !rote t the Be!u$"i from its enemies# +hether of the "eft or of the right# or from +ithin or +ithout# seeking to destro% or su$vert our demo rati institutions and im!eri" their ver% e,isten e. Hhat +e are mere"% tr%ing to sa% is that in arr%ing out this task and mission# !on%t"t t"on$' $nd '(0$' %$.(0 $rd% + %t 5( o5%(r)(d2 ot3(r*"%(2 t3( )(r6 .$5r"! o. o r .$"t3 *"'' %t$rt to nr$)(' . .n the $att"e of om!eting ideo"ogies# the strugg"e for the mind is 3ust as vita" as the strugg"e of arms. T3( '"n!3/"n "n t3$t /%6!3o'o0"!$' %tr 00'( "% .$"t3 "n t3( r '( o. '$*. On!( t3$t .$"t3 "% 'o%t or !o+/ro+"%(d2 t3( %tr 00'( +$6 *('' 5( $5$ndon(d.

5ome ma% sa% that this Commission is 'ui k to !"a e $"ame on the mi"itar%# +hi"e it hard"% onsidered the !ast heinous rimes ommitted $% those +ho +ou"d overthro+ the government. 5ome ma% sa% that the death or ki""ing of the a tivists# +hi"e i""ega"# is a $"essing for +hi h the mi"itar% shou"d $e ommended. 5ome +i"" even sa% that the mi"itar% deserves s!e ia" treatment o+ing to their ru ia" ro"e in ontaining and defeating insurgen %. Na%# +e sa%. The mi"itar% must mat h its strength +ith restraint# and the on"% s!e ia" treatment the mi"itar% +i"" re eive from this Commission# and $efore an% in'uir% for that matter# is that it +i"" $e 3udged +ith more stringent standards. As :enera" Cs!eron said in regard to the ourt1martia" of some arm% and marine offi ers# mi"itar% 3usti e is harsh and stri t. Tru"%# 3usti e must $e stern and e,a ting on the mi"itar% $e ause the mi"itar% has great !o+er# and +ith great !o+er omes greater res!onsi$i"it%. As the 4ook of Hisdom statesF T@C <.:@TT 5@AAA 4C <.:@T.AT *)T TO T@C TC5T

BC5*CCT()AAT 5)4<.TTC>.

?anuar% 22# 2007.

11

Id at 60$" emphasis supplied.

re!ort fina" sig

J6

:OSE A. R. MELO A55OC.ATC ?)5T.CC (Bet.)# 5)*BC<C CO)BT Chairman

NESTOR M. MANTARING >.BCCTOB# NAT.ONAA 4)BCA) O( .N6C5T.:AT.ON Commissioner

:OVENCITO R. JUKO C@.C( 5TATC *BO5CC)TOB Commissioner

NELIA T. GONJALEJ BC:CNT# )N.6CB5.TT O( T@C *@.A.**.NC5 Commissioner AttestedF

REV. :UAN DE DIOS M. PUEGLOS2 D.D. 4.5@O* O( 4)T)AN Commissioner

ATTH. ROGELIO A. VINLUAN :enera" Counse"

re!ort fina" sig