Quezon town officials file raps vs Reds

Officials of Catanauan town in Quezon have filed a complaint for human rights violations against communist guerrillas operating in their locality.

In a letter-complaint with the joint secretariat of the government’s monitoring committee for the talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), Catanauan Mayor Sebastian Serrano accused the insurgents of committing serious human rights violations against his constituents.

Among other incidents, Serrano cited the killing by 15 NPA rebels of Raquel Rodelas and the wounding of her nine-year-old daughter, Rowena, and her husband, Edilberto, in Barangay San Vicente Kanluran on the night of June 26.

Last June 29, Serrano said NPA guerrillas abducted two unarmed members of the Army’s 74th Infantry Battalion, which was carrying out development projects in his town. The two soldiers were later found dead.

"These killings are clear violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law," said Serrano in his complaint.

The government and the CPP-NPA-NDF jointly set up the monitoring committee to monitor, investigate and receive complaints of human rights abuses committed by either party.

Maj. Gen. Alexander Yano, Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command chief, lauded Serrano and the Catanauan municipal council for filing the complaint.

Yano said it is about time that local officials take an active role in fighting NPA abuses.