Monday, May 05, 2008 Karapatan's call for NPA a futile cover-up: AFP By Carlo P. Mallo
THE call of human rights group Karapatan for the New People's Army (NPA) to investigate those involved in the wounding of two children in a crossfire is nothing but a futile attempt to disassociate itself from its communist partners, or so, said the 5th Civil Relations Group of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
"It is a theatrical show as Karapatan tries to save its reputation, having been known to many as a CPP/NPA/NDF front organization," Major Medel Aguilar, chief of the 5th Civil Relations Group, said in an interview.
Aguilar said the human rights group is only trying to show its "fairness" in dealing with the AFP and the NPA. "But it is not a human rights group, it is a front of the insurgents."
Aguilar pointed to various actions of the group, showing that the rebels are actually its allies.
"When the military launched military operations against the NPA, Karapatan immediately reacted by investigating would-be human rights abuses that will be committed by AFP personnel, sending out press statements, and parading in different TV and radio stations evacuees purposely to discredit the military and pressure the government to stop the military operations against the NPA," Aguilar said.
Aguilar also cited the murder of Davao businessman Vicente Ferrazinni. The rebels claimed responsibility for his killing.
"When Ferazinni was shot in full view of many Dabawenos in Bankerohan, Davao City early this year, Karapatan simply allowed the atrocity to pass by as if the victim has no human rights," Aguilar said. "Karapatan never voiced out a single word of condemnation."
Aguilar said Karapatan had the same reaction when the unarmed barangay leaders of Fatima, Paquibato District and San Jose, Moncayo were summarily executed by the NPA lately.
Aguilar said it is quite unusual now that when the rebel group has committed another mistake, Karapatan broke its silence to show its "impartiality" not by conducting the usual "investigation" but by asking the NPA to investigate the incident.
The military official said if it had been reported to be the responsibility of government soldiers, Karapatan would jump to its feet eagerly to "investigate" and condemn the military even on the flimsiest evidence and malicious accusations.
"The statement made by Karapatan is an insult to the intelligence of our people," Aguilar said.
