Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 8) — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has started to investigate the killing of National Democratic Font of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Ericson Acosta and his companion Joseph Jimenez of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.
The CHR said its Region VI office is conducting an independent probe on the death of the two activists.
“It is expedient to probe the truth and deliver justice in all allegations of arbitrary killing that desecrate the right to life,” the commission said in a statement on Wednesday.
“As the State has the prime duty to protect life, CHR expects parallel probe by the concerned authorities,” it also said.
“We also request the cooperation of the Armed Forced of the Philippines (AFP) to ensure the conduct of a swift and impartial investigation,” the CHR added.
According to rights group Karapatan, Acosta and Jimenez were taken by Philippine Army personnel in Sitio Makilo, Barangay Camansi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental at 2 a.m. of Nov. 30. But they were later reported as casualties following an alleged clash between the military and communist rebels.
The CHR said that it continues to underscore the need to adhere to the International Humanitarian Law in conflict situations.
“We shall consistently sound the alarm against deaths and arbitrary arrests of activists for such violations further entrench the climate of fear and impunity, which impact many fundamental freedoms and denigrate the dignity of many sectors, especially the most vulnerable ones,” the commission said.
The AFP earlier said that being an NDFP consultant does not make Acosta “naive and harmless.”
