Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 18) — The Commission on Human Rights has asked the Philippine National Police to investigate alleged members of the New People’s Army who tried to extort money from CHR’s regional offices.
In a statement posted on Facebook on Tuesday, CHR Executive Director Jacqueline De Guia said the commission’s regional offices, particularly in Northern Mindanao and Soccskargen, received threats from individuals who introduced themselves as NPA members.
According to De Guia, last May 11 the CHR office in Soccskargen received a call from a person who claimed to be an NPA commander and asked for P 8,000 “for his wounded comrade.”
The caller also “asked for a lawyer and warned that he knows all the personnel of CHR Region XII,” she added.
On the same day, CHR’s office in Northern Mindanao received a call from a self-proclaimed NPA member asking for P200,000 as financial assistance. The office also got a call the following day “from a person with the same voice who threatened one of the investigators,” De Guia said.
The CHR is investigating the incident. De Guia also urged the PNP to hold a parallel investigation.
“We also expediently request for PNP to provide security and protection to the said CHR regional offices and their personnel” she said. “The Commission shall continue to conduct its mandate steadfastly and firmly, undeterred by any form of extortion, threat, and/or intimidation.”
“CHR strongly condemns these brazen acts of extortion and threats against our regional offices. As an independent National Human Rights Institution, CHR shall not yield to any form of extortion or threat by any individual or group,” she added.###
Reposted from CNN website
