melo commission report

8/13/2019 Melo Commission Report

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INDEPENDENT COMMISSION TOADDRESS MEDIA AND ACTIVIST KILLINGS

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

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INTRODUCTION

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! ara!atan is said to have ounted at

"east 72/ ki""ings. nfortunate"%# none of the so a""ed a tivist mi"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 ara!atan# is one too man%.

t is said $% those +ho +ou"d 3ustif% these ki""ings that the vi tims are

enemies of the tate. eri"%# one s 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!"e s Arm% (8N*A9)# and its front organi&ations. ure"%# ever

!resent is the on"% too human fee"ing of +anting to see one s enemies and

o!!ressors $ite the dust# so to s!eak# stru k do+n on the 'ui k $ased on one s

o+n !ersona" on e!t of 3usti e or on the mi"itar% s uni"atera" assessment that

the% are enemies of the tate.

This ma% +e"" $e so# $ut it shou"d $e arefu""% noted that the vi tims# of+hi h this Commission is on erned# +ere a"" non om$atants. The% +ere not

ki""ed in armed "ashes or engagements +ith the mi"itar%. The% +ere ki""ed# it is

said# $% motor % "e riding hooded ki""ers in assassination manner.

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: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 short uts. 4ut !re ise"%# short 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


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!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

Commission s 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 theCommission# +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 ara!atan. ike+ise# des!ite the numerous

invitations e,tended $% the Commission# ara!atan and other a tivist or mi"itant

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grou!s refused to oo!erate# and rather 'uestioned the Commission s

inde!enden e.

in 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 eand 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 hisa!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 taff :en. @ermogenes s!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 .

*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.

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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 non governmenta"

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"" nigh 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# andara!atan and Amnest% nternationa"# on the other. @o+ever# it is undis!uted

that there +ere ki""ings.


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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"vingthese 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 utor s offi e for !re"iminar%

investigation or fi"ed in ourt. O$vious"%# the reason for this !oor s ore +as the

refusa" of ara!atan and its a""ied grou!s to ome for+ard and oo!erate.

ast"%# 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$"% a tivists and media !ersonne". The mi"itar% esta$"ishment itse"f

a kno+"edges this# $% attri$uting the rise in ki""ings to a 8!urge9 of ranks $% the

C** N*A.

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

e!artment of nterior

and o 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$er of s"ain !art%"ist mem$ers rea hed 111 +hi"e the tota" num$er of media men ki""ed for the

same !eriod rea hed 26. T s 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 theCommission on September 12, 2006,

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re!orted $% ara!atan and Amnest% nternationa" for the same !eriod.

A ording to ara!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# ara!atan andAmnest% 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"d u!.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 tims 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*O CO< 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 s 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

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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** N*A has terrori&ed the

+itnesses.

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

:en. Ba&on admitted that T sti"" annot e,!"ain the reason for thein 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 *resident s de "aration of an a"" out +ar against the

ommunist insurgents.

2 Id. on p. 18

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

ki""ings are the resu"t of C** N*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 ara!atan and 4a%an and 4a%an


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the A * to "ook into the !arti i!ation of the mi"itar% in the ki""ings. Att%.

in"uan asked for o!ies of su h "etter re'uest.

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

T did not investigate higher ranking mi"itar% offi ia"s. :en. Ba&on

"aimed that the *N* annot go further than the sus!e t. f the ergeant 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 .

in e the mi"itar% ondu ts its o+n o!erations. T investigated on"% four

mi"itar% !ersonne".

7. P(r%on$' o "n"on

Hhen asked $% Chairman


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J./ trengthen 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"n St$t(+(nt9 AFP Po'"!6 $nd Pr$!t"!(

:en. s!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. evera" !u$"i ations / have $een made to edu ate A * s so"diersF

a. A * tanding Bu"es of ngagement$. *rote tion of Non Com$atants in the *hi"i!!ines

. The *hi"i!!ine Arm% o"diers @and$ook on @uman Bights andnternationa" @umanitarian a+

d. *rimer on the Com!rehensive Agreement on the Bestri t for@uman Bights and nternationa" @umanitarian a+

e. Bu"es of 4ehavior on Com$atf. ove of Countr% *agmamaha" sa 4a%ang. Code of thi s

:en. s!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,tra 3udi ia"ki""ings of 3ourna"ists and mi"itants. u$3e ting the A * to a tria" $% !u$"i it% is a

modus-operandi $% the C** N*A .5

@o+ever# :en. s!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$, 2006 , pp. 6-7 6 TSN, e!tem$er 1J# 2006 , p. 3.

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#. R($!t"on to G(n. :o)"to P$' $r$n;% St$t(+(nt


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CasiMo 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

. 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. s!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


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oreign Affairs# or the 3oint monitoring ommittee. Thereafter# the re!ort of the

investigation +i"" $e su$mitted to the :enera" @ead'uarters. 12

@o+ever# :en. s!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** N*A is the !art% to $"ame for the

a tivist and media ki""ings# :enera" s!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! ara!atan. 1/

1,. R( ort o T$%& For!( U%"

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%. @o+ever# these ases have not $een

referred to the A * for investigation .15

:en. s!eron re"a%ed his onversation +ith :en. Ba&on +herein the "atter

mentioned that 15 ases +ere !er!etrated $% the N*A.

1 . < Ang Tala =

12 Id . at pp. $# (.1 * list of the +i'tims &as furnished the Commission.1/ TSN, e!tem$er 1/# 2006# !!. -6 -7.15 The Commission forma""% referred the ases to the A * for investigation. TSN, e!tem$er 1J#2006# !!. 5 6.

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8 Ang Tala 9 is an offi ia" !u$"i ation of the A * +hi h is !u$"ished $% the

Civi" Be"ations ervi e. The maga&ine ma% ontain arti "es that do not ref"e t the

offi ia" !osition of the A *.

:en. s!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.

1 . AFP In)(%t" $t"on o G(n. :o)"to P$' $r$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.9 16

:en. s!eron said that an interna" investigation +as ondu ted $% the

A *. @o+ever# no forma" investigation +as ondu ted sin e no forma"

om!"aints +ere fi"ed against :en. *a"!aran. The interna" investigations

ondu ted +ere informa" in nature and thus# no re ords +ere ke!t. 17


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:en. s!eron said that assuming the a$ove statements +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

Hhen asked a$out his on e!t of ommand res!onsi$i"it%# :enera"s!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.

s!eron said that these are on"% a usations and that no om!"aints +ere fi"ed.


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s!eron ountered that atur O am!o shou"d denoun e the N*A. 4% doing so#

the A * +i"" kno+ that !revious mem$ers of the C** N*A have tru"% severed

their re"ations +ith the underground.

:enera" s!eron# at this !oint# !resented to the Commission o!ies of the

fo""o+ing $ooksF

84reaking Through9 $% ?oe" Bo amora ; ,hi$it 8?98 uffer Th% Comrades9 $% Bo$ert ran is :ar ia ; ,hi$it 8 98The *hi"i!!ine Bevo"utionar%


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a. The A * did not ondu t an% forma" investigation of

sus!e ts# $ut admits a rise in re!orted ki""ings.

$. :enera" s!eron is onvin ed that the re ent a tivist and

3ourna"ist ki""ings +ere arried out $% the C** N*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.

. ike+ise# :enera" s!eron +as firm in his !osition that the

vi tims +ere mem$ers of the C** N*A and that the a tivist

organi&ations# +hi"e "ega"# are infi"trated $% the C** N*A. @e stated that

these organi&ations are $eing mani!u"ated $% the N*A.

d. :en. s!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** N*A.

e. :enera" s!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 "atter s denia"s.

$. /a0. Gen. #ovito '. Palparan+

1. Introd !t"on


22/86

Commanding :enera" J th nfantr% >ivision# astern isa%ase$ruar% 2005 ; August 2006

4rigade Commander 2 nd nfantr% >ivision#


23/86

: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 ison 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 $ut are onsidered as su h due to their mem$ershi! in these

organi&ations. 2E

n an intervie+ $% *ia @ontiveros and Ton% e"as'ue& on the T

*rogram 8 Top S ory#9 :en. *a"!aran +as asked +h% he onsidered organi&ations

"ike 4a%an


24/86

8/ven "oug" "ey are in *overnmen as Par y 0is1epresen a ives, no ma er '"a appearan!e "ey a$e, "ey are s ill/nemies of "e S a e.9 (


25/86

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.(


26/86

:en. *a"!aran said that the greater ma3orit% of the !eo!"e are

usua""% threatened $% a sma"" grou! of $ad e"ements# the C** N*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 i""age eve" efense %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 "r"(% on (%!$'$t(d n +5(r o ( tr$ d"!"$' &"''"n %d r"n G(n. P$' $r$n;% To r% O D t6

:en. *a"!aran +as asked to onfirm the ontents of "ists of vi tims ofe,tra3udi ia" e,e utions during his tours of dut% in


27/86

den% the a ura % of the said "ists $e ause he said he did not have an%

kno+"edge of these fa ts. 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 "umanrig" s. Bu o me, i 'ould &us be ne!essary in!iden s./7

J.- >eath of Civi"ians and o a" Offi ia"s

Sorry nalang $ung may madamay na !ivilian GQ T"e dea " of!ivilians and lo!al offi!ials 'ere


28/86

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 defendthemse"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 aysusubaybayan 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 nresponsibility" it1s not )ine2 951

:en. *a"!aran# ho+ever# admitted uttering the !hraseF

Q some 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"!aran s ans+ers# 3( (nt(rt$"n(d t3( o%%"5"'"t6t3$t %o+( o 3"% %o'd"(r% +$6 3$)( 5((n r(% on%"5'( or t3( &"''"n % $'t3o 3

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!resentatives Committee on Nationa" >efense and e urit% on


29/86

s!e ia" units# not !ro!er"% identified in $onnets and masks# o!erating in the

midd"e of the night.)9 5/ :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( &"''"n % o Mr. Edd"( G +$no6 $nd M%. Ed(n M$r!(''$n$

:en. *a"!aran denied an% invo"vement in the ki""ing of


30/86


31/86

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 u"u @ote" on

August 21# 2006 8I am responsible (referring o e> ra-&udi!ial $illings), rela ively

per"aps#9G(n. P$' $r$n %$"d t3$t 3"% $!t"on% !o 'd 3$)( (n!o r$ (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 "esame. Bu in "e !ourse of our !ampaign, I !ould "ave en!ouraged people

o do "a . So maaaring may responsibili y a$o doon, on "a aspe! . Bu"o' !ould I preven "a , 'e are engaged in "is !onfli! . All mya! ua ions really are designed o defea "e enemy. And in doing so,o "ers mig" "ave been en!ouraged o a$e a! ions on "eir o'n...

Q '"oever did "is 2 !ould "ave been en!ouraged by my a! ions anda! ua ions in "e !ourse of my !ampaign, '"oever "ey are. T"a is '"y Isaid rela ively. If "ere are some soldiers, maybe "en, I !ould "ave beenremiss in "a aspe! . Bu 'e are doing our bes o $eep our soldiers'i "in our manda e . 65

1 . CPP-NPA P r ( T3(or6

ignifi ant"%# ho+ever# +hen asked a$out C** N*A s !arti i!ation in the!o"iti a" ki""ings# he testified that the ki""ings are not attri$uta$"e to the a""eged

C** N*A !urge. 8 don t 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

6$ Id. at p. ( .6( Id. at p. (8.66 Id. at p. 2.

re!ort fina" sig

-1


32/86

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 shere 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


33/86

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 # i"a% Cit%# three (-)sus!e ts# name"%# Bona"d uro!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. he said that Bi o +as

shot in her !resen e as she $egged for his "ife. he fi"ed a om!"aint for murder

$efore the Offi e of the Cit% *rose ution Offi e of i"a% Cit%.

o"ita *ederiso "aimed that on e!tem$er -# 200/# se urit% guards of"ando+ner


34/86

of @a ienda Con hita i""anueva# a Caste""ana. A ase for frustrated homi ide

is !ending $efore the Begiona" Tria" Court# 4ran h 6-# a Car"ota Cit%G $)

+ounding of Bonito 4o"tron on ?anuar% 5# 200/ in @a ienda e em$er 11# 2006# the Commission he"d a +ho"e da% hearing in

>avao Cit% to !ro$e the ki""ing of :eorge and


35/86

The s!ouses :eorge and 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 igo "ike+ise had a "o a" A< radio sho+on erning agrarian reform issues. The s!ouses igo +ere gunned do+n in

ingao# ida!a+an Cit%# Coto$ato $% unidentified men on ?une 1E# 2006.

io ese of ida!a+an# testified on his kno+"edge a$out the

deaths of the s!ouses igo. @e mentioned that !rior to and after the death of the

igos# he +as su$3e ted to survei""an e $% unidentified armed men. :eorge igo

a"so onfided to r. :eremia that a mi"itar% asset +arned him (:eorge igo) that

he +as in the 8"istahan9 of the mi"itar%.

re!ort fina" sig

-5


36/86

After the ki""ing of the igos# r. :eremia a"so re eived +ritten death

threats that the ki""ing of the igos +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 that8+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.

:eremia s om!anions rushed him inside a store and "ater asked for he"! from

the house of Co"um$io


37/86

Bea igtas# +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 es!ite his information# the Task or e igo reated $% the

!rovin ia" government to investigate the igo ki""ings a used a ertain >ionisio

8?ek ?ek9 : "ong $efore the igo

ki""ing.

#. Enr"!o C$5$n"t

nri o Ca$anit +as the hair!erson of the HA> COB m!"o%ees and

Agrarian Beform 4enefi iaries Asso iation# n . (8H AB4A 9) and the e retar%:enera" of *am$ansang gna%an ng mga Nagsasari"ing Organisas%on sa

ana%unan (8 NOB A Nationa"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. Hounded in the in ident +as >affodi" Ca$anit# nri o

Ca$anit s daughter.

As +itnesses# the Commission a""ed * enior nvestigator Hi"fredo

*uerto and *O- >omingo Banain# +ho investigated the Ca$anit murder. *

*uerto is the nte""igen e Offi er of the *ana$o Cit% *o"i e tation# +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 nri'ue o"on +ho +as

the gunman. nri'ue o"on +as su!!osed"% identified !ost mortem $%

e%e+itnesses# as he had $een ki""ed in simi"ar fashion in :enera" antos Cit%

some da%s "ater. ike+ise# a ertain 4enedi k


38/86

@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"% ross e,amine the +itnesses. n

!arti u"ar# the fo""o+ing detai"s +ere sus!i iousF

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$anit s fami"%G

The su!!osed e%e+itness#


39/86

The N4 s 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.

,. (rn$ndo $r"$

@ernando 4aria +as a farmer and offi er of a "o a" farmer s 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 4aria s +ido+# ?ovita 4aria# testified $efore the Commission

that 4a"asan to+n i e


40/86

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 ton !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 futurein 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. in 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. *hi"i! Agustin in >inga"an# Aurora# +here the sus!e t is


41/86

(. 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 ire tor and Commissioner Nestor


42/86

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% ofthe atta ks# the "eftist !rofi"e of the vi tims or at "east mem$ershi! in a ause

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 ( otero "amas# ?ose >oton#

Noe" Ca!u"ong# i torina :ome *a'uito >ia "ena


43/86

The investigation in man% of the ases has met a $"ank +a"" (Bu$en

A!o"inar# ,!edito A"$ari""o# Bafae" 4angit# Noe" Ca!u"ong# i 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# otero "amas# Tito akki a"e Center. The driver identified the sus!e ts from

!hotogra!hs sho+n to him $% the !o"i e.

re!ort fina" sig

/-


44/86

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


45/86

sustained one gunshot +ound on the right arm. "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 1E %ear o"d fema"estudent# +ho +ere not named in the fi"e# su!!osed"% identified one of the

gunmen as dgardo evi""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" tate *rose utor

and the% affirmed their statements !ositive"% identif%ing dgardo evi""a and

one dgar Ca"ag. A ording to the !o"i e# their inte""igen e re!ort dis "osed that

dgardo evi""a is urrent"% an N*A ommander +hi"e dgardo Ca"ag# adis harged *hi". Arm% s!e ia" for es mem$er +ho +ent AHO after ki""ing his

deta hment ommander# is 8$e"ieved to $e an N*A mem$er o!erating in A"$a%

and orsogon.9

. :o%( Doton

?ose C. >oton +as the e retar% :enera" of the 4agong A"%ansangoton +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

$ut managed to survive. The in ident ha!!ened on Anong Boad# a$angan

Biver# 4rg% Camanggan# an Ni o"as# *angasinan.

A om!"aint for murder and frustrated murder has $een fi"ed against a

ertain ?oe" . "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

/5


46/86

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 There is no re!ort on the status of the ase fi"ed against ?oe". "ores.

4. R$ $(' $n "t

On ?une J# 2006# at a$out -F-0 !.m.# Bafae" 4angit# /5 %ears o"d# married#

e retar% :enera" of 4inodngan *eo!"e s Organi&ation and an a tive advo ate

against "arge s a"e mining in a"inga# and Chairman of 4a%an e"i a van# +hi h had a!!arent"% $een tai"ing the $us sin e it "eft

Ta$uk# a"inga.

There has $een no !rogress +hatsoever in the investigation of the ase.

7. No('


47/86

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 utor s 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+(

i torina :ome 6- %ears o"d# a +ido+ +as the $aranga% a!tain of 4rg%.

*arian# e em$er 16# 2005# +hi"e 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

/7


48/86

On O to$er 20# 2005# at a$out 10F10 !.m. +hi"e Tito . indo indo


49/86


50/86

in tandem on a s!orts t%!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 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

nri o Ca$anit# married and se retar% genera" of the *am$ansang

gna%an ng mga Nagsasari"ing o a" na Organisas%on sa ana%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 6 6F-0 !.m. near the

un"oading area of fish ars at the *ana$o *remium 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

nri o Ca$anit +ho# +ith his daughter >affodi"# +as +aiting for trans!ortation.

re!ort fina" sig

50


51/86

nri o Ca$anit died on the s!ot $ut >affodi" +as on"% +ounded and she

survived.

A ertain nri'ue o"on +ho +as ki""ed in :en. antos on avao Cit% $% the Commission).

1 . T(r(%$ M$+(n

Teresa


52/86

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"" trained !rofessiona"s +hokne+ their $usiness +e"".


53/86


54/86

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. *O C ON T@ *ABT O T@< TAB OB T C AN * B OB TO B OBT TO H@AT OT@ B

CO NTB *@ < T CA CA 8A T BNAT *BOC > B 9 ;

< AN N: :A D >AT ON . @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. T ERE IS SOME CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE TOSUPPORT T E PROPOSITION T AT SOME ELEMENTS WIT IN OR CONNECTED TO T E MILITARH ARERESPONSI LE FOR T E 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

5/


55/86

Duite de!"ora$"e is the refusa" of the a tivist grou!s su h as ara!atan#

4a%an


56/86

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** N*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** N*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** N*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** N*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 issur!rising if there indeed is an on going !urge among the ranks of the C**

N*A# +h% the mi"itar% has done nothing to !romote or en ourage su h rift.

eri"%# if %our enemies $egin to fight among themse"ves# the resu"t ou"d on"% $e

to %our $enefit.


57/86

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 tateG 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.


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. 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

:en. *a"!aran stated that ertain Organi&ations and *art% ist

Be!resentatives a t as su!!ort s%stems !roviding materia"s and she"ter for

the C** N*A. 6J

ntervie+ed $% *ia @ontiveros and Ton% e"as'ue& on the T

*rogram 8 Top S ory#9 :en. *a"!aran# +hen asked +h% he onsidered

organi&ations "ike 4a%an


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/nemies of "e S a e.9 (


60/86

abou by "e mili ary%s an i-insurgen!y !ampaign.9 (*hi"i!!ine>ai"% n'uirer# e!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 "emili ary alone s"ould be blamed. 8e are armed, of !ourse, and

rained o !onfron and !on rol violen!e. Bu o "er people '"oselives are affe! ed in "ese areas are also par i!ipa ingQ 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 theki""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 )ine2 97E

8Q some 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 andmasks o!erating in the midd"e of the night.)9 J1

8I am responsible (referring o e> ra-&udi!ial $illings),rela ively per"aps#9 :en. *a"!aran said that his a tions ou"dhave 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 "aveen!ouraged people o do "a . So maaaring may responsibili y a$odoon, on "a aspe! . Bu "o' !ould I preven "a , 'e are engagedin "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$ea! ions on "eir o'n.9

8'"oever did "is 2 !ould "ave been en!ouraged by my a! ions anda! 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 $eepour soldiers 'i "in our manda e .9 J-

Id. at !. --.8 Id. at !. -/ .) Id. at !. -2 .

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

re!ort fina" sig

60


61/86

:enera" *a"!aran s 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 saidki""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"!aran s 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 istheir 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"n %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 so a""ed 8$aranga%

defense for es9# +hi h ma% or ma% not $e armed# to !revent the entr% of

C** N*A in su h $aranga%s. u h defense for es are e'uiva"ent to an unoffi ia"

ivi"ian mi"itia. t is +e"" kno+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

e urit% of the @ouse of Be!resentatives he"d on


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8 $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$ e tion -2# Bu"e 1-0# Bu"es of Court.

re!ort fina" sig

62


63/86

Thus# 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" $t"on "nto t3( n +(ro % &"''"n %2 "n!' d"n ( t(n%")(()"d(n!( $t3(r"n 2 "% n(!(%%$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 o""eagues +ou"d $e

indis!ensa$"e.

. GENERAL PALPARAN AND PER APS SOME OF ISSUPERIOR OFFICERS2 MAH E ELD RESPONSI LE FORFAILING TO PREVENT2 PUNIS OR CONDEMN T EKILLINGS UNDER T E PRINCIPLE OF COMMANDRESPONSI ILITH.

t $eing +e"" nigh o$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-


64/86

su$ordinates or $"'"n 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 aguiding !rin i!"e in mi"itar% organi&ations. The do trine +as forma"i&ed $% the

@ague Conventions (1E07) and U (1E07) and a!!"ied for the first time $% the

:erman u!reme Court in ei!&ig after Hor"d Har # in the Trial of /mil Muller .


65/86

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" +asommitted $% a su$ordinate does not a$so"ve his su!eriors from Q

res!onsi$i"it%Qif the% kne+# or had information +hi h shou"dhave ena$"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 $rea h and ifthe% did not take a"" feasi$"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 ommand res!onsi$i"it%.V JE Hhi"e the

*hi"i!!ines signed and ratified the :eneva Convention of 1E/E# it has on"%

signed and has not ratified A* .

The esta$"ishment of the nternationa" Crimina" Tri$una" for ugos"avia

( CT ) $% the nited Nations e 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 CT tatute 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. n

Prose!u or v. elali! e al (8the elebi!i ase9)# the CT 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 e E0F

8) Command Bes!onsi$i"it%FThe


66/86

1. the e,isten e of a su!erior su$ordinate re"ationshi!G2. 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 tatute of the CC +hi h statesF

n addition to other grounds of rimina" res!onsi$i"it% underthis tatute for rimes +ithin the 3urisdi tion of the CourtF

(a) A mi"itar% ommander or !erson effe tive"% a ting as ami"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"# oreffe tive authorit% and ontro" as the ase ma% $e# as a resu"tof his or her fai"ure to e,er ise ontro" !ro!er"% over su hfor es# +hereF

(i) That mi"itar% ommander or !erson either kne+or# o+ing to the ir umstan es at the time# shou"dhave 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 takea"" ne essar% and reasona$"e measures +ithin his orher !o+er to !revent or re!ress their ommission orto su$mit the matter to the om!etent authorities forinvestigation and !rose ution.

($) Hith res!e t to su!erior and su$ordinate re"ationshi!snot 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 tiveauthorit% and ontro"# as a resu"t of his or her fai"ure toe,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

66


67/86

the su$ordinates +ere ommitting or a$out to ommitsu h rimesG

(ii) The rimes on erned a tivities that +ere +ithinthe effe tive res!onsi$i"it% and ontro" of the su!eriorGand

(iii) The su!erior fai"ed to take a"" ne essar% andreasona$"e measures +ithin his or her !o+er to!revent or re!ress their ommission or to su$mit thematter to the om!etent authorities for investigationand !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.

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 CT s 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+n in

Arti "e 2J(a) has a"read% $e ome a !oint of ontention +ithin internationa" "a+

"iterature. A* and the Bome tatute# 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 tatute. @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$"e if he fai"s totake feasi$"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


68/86

a ts of his su$ordinates of +hi h he had $!t $' or !on%tr !t")( &no*'(d (. n

the CT tatute and in the ases of elali! and Blas$i!# the ommander is "ia$"e if

he fai"s to a t +hen he 8 3$d r($%on to &no*9 that offenses +ou"d $e or have

$een ommitted $% his su$ordinates. The Bome tatute ado!ts the stri ter8%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".

#. Co++$nd R(% on%"5"'"t6 $% "nd"n C %to+$r6 Int(rn$t"on$'L$*

As ear"% as 1E/E# the *hi"i!!ine u!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 # higenori

uroda# a ieutenant :enera" in the ?a!anese m!eria" Arm%# 'uestioned $efore

the u!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 and

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""egedvio"ations took !"a e.

n ru"ing against uroda s o$3e tion# the u!reme Court of the

*hi"i!!ines E1 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 u!reme Court#through Chief ?usti e


69/86

It !$nnot 5( d(n"(d t3$t t3( r '(% $nd r( '$t"on% o t3($ ( $nd G(n()$ !on)(nt"on% or+ $rt o $nd $r( *3o''6

5$%(d on t3( (n(r$''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 tates and ?a!an# +ho +eresignatories to the t+o Conventions. S !3 r '(% $nd r"n!" '(%2t3(r( or(2 or+ $rt o t3( '$* o o r n$t"on ()(n " t3(P3"'" "n(% *$% not $ %" n$tor6 to t3( !on)(nt"on% (+5od6"nt3(+ # for our Constitution has $een de"i$erate"% genera" ande,tensive in its s o!e and is not onfined to the re ognition of ru"esand !rin i!"es of internationa" "a+ as ontained in treaties to +hi hour government ma% have $een or sha"" $e a signator%. E2

ven +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 non internationa"armed onf"i ts# $inding on a"" tatesF

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-


70/86

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!"ineand 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" orsummar% ourt martia" a ording to the nature and degree of theoffense# and !unished at the dis retion of su h ourt.

ike+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 ofthe 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!!ines EF# as a genera""% a e!ted !rin i!"e ofinternationa" "a+# and hen e# as !art of the "a+ of the "and. The do trine s

refinements and restatements ; A* and the Bome tatute# +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( $+"'6o n$t"on% $r( 5 t % (!" "! d( "n"t"on% $nd r("n or!(+(nt% o t3((n(r$' !o++on '$* o n$t"on%2 t3( n*r"tt(n r '(% o *$r $r(2

*3"!3 or !(nt r"(% 3$)( '"+"t(d t3( +(t3od $nd +$nn(r o!ond !t"n *$r%. The ommon "a+ of nations# $% +hi h a"" statesare and must $e $ound# di tates that +arfare sha"" $e arried onon"% in a ordan e +ith $asi onsiderations of humanit% and

hiva"r%.

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

)( nder the pronoun'ement in Kuroda .E6 75 *hi". 56-# :.B. No. 12E. >e em$er 1E# 1E/5.

re!ort fina" sig

70


71/86

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

organi&ation itse"f# or the tate# $ut on"% to individua"s or grou!s a ting !ursuant

to their o+n interests# this does not mean that the tate an sit id"% $% and refuse

to a t. "timate"%# the tate has the res!onsi$i"it% of !rote ting its iti&ens andmaking sure that their fundamenta" "i$erties are res!e ted.

The gro+ing +or"d+ide onsensus for state res!onsi$i"it% for non state

a ts !osits that if the tate fai"s to investigate# !rose ute or redress !rivate# non

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 @umanBights 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$"e to a tate (for e,am!"e#$e ause it is the a t of !rivate !erson or $e ause the !ersonres!onsi$"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 $e auseof the '$!& o d ( d"'" (n!( to r()(nt t3( )"o'$t"on or to r(% ond

to "tas re'uired $% the Convention.17-. KQL Hhat is de isive is +hether a vio"ation of the rights

re ogni&ed $% the Convention has o urred +ith the su!!ort or thea 'uies en e of the government# or +hether the tate has a""o+edthe a t to take !"a e +ithout taking measures to !revent it or to!unish those res!onsi$"e. Thus# the Court s task is to determine+hether the vio"ation is the resu"t of a tate s fai"ure to fu"fi"" itsdut% to res!e t and guarantee those rights# as re'uired $% Arti "e 1(1) of the Convention.

17/. T3( St$t( 3$% $ '( $' d t6 to t$&( r($%on$5'( %t( % tor()(nt 3 +$n r" 3t% )"o'$t"on% $nd to %( t3( +($n% $t "t%

d"% o%$' to !$rr6 o t $ %(r"o % "n)(%t" $t"on o )"o'$t"on%!o++"tt(d *"t3"n "t% r"%d"!t"on2 to "d(nt" 6 t3o%( r(% on%"5'(2to "+ 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 tothe !unishment of those res!onsi$"e and the o$"igation toindemnif% the vi tims for damages KQL

) Case No. 7E20# ?u"% 2E# 1EJJG 'uoted $% then ?usti e# no+ Chief ?usti e Be%nato . *uno in0iber y and Prosperi y,*ane" *a!er de"ivered at the Nationa" orum on i$ert% and *ros!erit%#


72/86

177. n ertain ir umstan es# it ma% $e diffi u"t toinvestigate a ts that vio"ate an individua" s rights. T3( d t6 to"n)(%t" $t(2 '"&( t3( d t6 to r()(nt2 "% not 5r($!3(d +(r('65(!$ %( t3( "n)(%t" $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")(. Aninvestigation must have an o$3e tive and $e assumed $% the tateas its o+n "ega" dut%# not as a ste! taken $% !rivate interests thatde!ends u!on the initiative of the vi tim or his fami"% or u!on theiroffer of !roof# +ithout an effe tive sear h for the truth $% thegovernment. This is true regard"ess of +hat agent is eventua""%found res!onsi$"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 tate res!onsi$"e on the internationa" !"ane.EJ

The nter Ameri 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 tim s 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 tates. n another ase re"evant to the

*hi"i!!ine setting# /a6i)o (ilao v. *state o& Ferdinand /arcos EE de ided $% the

Ninth Cir uit of . . Court of A!!ea"s# vi tims and fami"ies of vi tims of human

rights vio"ations during the administration of *res. erdinand


73/86

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

ommunit%.

. R(% on%"5"'"t6 or &"''"n % "% '"+"t(d to "nd")"d $' o "!(r% $ndr(> "r(% rt3(r roo o $ *ron ' $!t or o+"%%"on.

Hhi"e tate 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 $ran hes 2 under the do trine of ommand res!onsi$i"it%. The findings herein

do not 3ustif% a ru"ing that ea h and ever% high ranking 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'( $!t or o+"%%"on. (n!(2 " "t "% %3o*n t3$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 $% them. I d"'" (n!( "n t3( (r or+$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,!"ainthe same $% his su!eriors. ndeed# :enera" *a"!aran s !u$"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 tionunder the ir umstan es +as taken $e ause no om!"aint had $een "odged

against :en. *a"!aran and or that an%+a%# Task or e sig ou"d ver% +e""

have a""ed him to a ount for his a tions and +ords.

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74/86


75/86


76/86

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$"i !rose utor hasinevita$"% 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

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77/86


78/86

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 hain of 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%. u 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$"e o!!ortunit% to do so# or hisfai"ure to investigate and !unish his su$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. ven 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

$et+een a su!erior s fai"ure to a t and the su$ordinate s 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" $t")( !$ $5"'"t"(% o t3( PNP $nd N I.

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 om!osite sket hes ofsus!e tsG

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79/86

(d) ado!tion of rime ma!!ing in a"" !o"i e stations and N4 offi esGand

(e) strengthening of the information re+ard s%stem.

G. Pro (r or"(nt$t"on $nd tr$"n"n 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 high ranking 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% s +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" s 1/ !oint *rogram for the

!revention of e,tra "ega" e,e utionsF 8The !rohi$ition of e,tra 3udi 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 theinstru 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,tra 3udi ia" e,e ution.9

VI. CONCLUSION

n an ient !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

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80/86

+ith marauding invaders. Thus# a strong mi"itar% +as a$so"ute"% ne essar% to

the surviva" of the state.

A"" ma"e !artan iti&ens +ere automati a""% +arriors# and had to trainand eventua""% fight as su h. u h mi"itarism gave !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 !artan

so iet%. ver%thing revo"ved around the !artan +arriors. ndeed# it +as stated

that# un"ike other an ient it% states 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 !arta# $ut sti"" the

va"orous deeds of !artans are re a""ed and remain standards of mi"itar%organi&ations.

!artans# as the% are "egendar% no+# +ere !ro$a$"% a+e ins!iring then.

o 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 eThe *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% $% !ain. The same reason "ed the

Ameri ans to sim!"% take the ountr% a+a% from !ain# and 'ue"" the i"i!ino

resistan e. n the ear"% stages of Hor"d Har in the *a ifi # ?a!an s mi"itar%

might over+he"med its enemies# in "uding the *hi"i!!ines# though $o"stered $%

Ameri an troo!s and ordnan e. 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

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 tate.9 102 The Armed or es of

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

re!ort fina" sig

J0

melo commission report

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