Operations intended to serve over 100 warrants

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Local human rights organization Karapatan-Negros recently condemned operations conducted by the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which resulted in six deaths and the arrests of 31 individuals.

Based on a statement posted on social media, the group claims the arrests and killings were conducted “in line” with President Rodrigo Duterte’s orders to destroy the community movement.

Karapatan-Negros said they “deplore the recent killings and arrests,” calling it “the latest spate of human rights violations by the Duterte administration.

The group also characterized the police and military as “blood thirsty” for allegedly “boasting” about the killings.

“With the notorious narratives of the police and military, in their attempt to justify these killings through their ‘nanlaban’ line and planting of evidence, we call for a halt to such police and military operations, for immediate and independent investigation on the said incidents, and for the perpetrators in uniform to be brought to justice,” the group stated.

Last Thursday, NOrPPO operatives, in cooperation with the AFP, attempted to serve around 113 search warrants, 82 of which were for Guihulngan City residents on charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives.

The said operations were part of the Philippine National Police Enhanced Managing Police Operation./DGB, WDJ