The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today clarified that the New People’s Army (NPA) is not involved in the alleged series of harassment against the Commission on Human Rights’ regional offices in Mindanao the past days.

The CHR reported in a statement yesterday that its offices in Region X (Northern Mindanao) and XII (Soccsksargen) supposedly received calls from someone who introduced themselves as NPA members. The supposed individuals were asking for monetary amount and made threats against personnel of the CHR.

“We assure the CHR that the NPA is not involved in any threats or extortion attempts against their regional offices,” said CPP Chief Information Officer Marco Valbuena. “This is either plain extortion or the handiwork of people who wish to defame the NPA and portray it as involved in gross criminal activities.”

“The CHR can easily get in touch with the CPP ([email protected]) or through its local representatives to seek verification of these reports,” Valbuena said. The CPP also noted that they have received similar reports from different individuals and areas consulting whether such actions are true or not.

Valbuena also pointed out that the CPP and NPA strictly abide by international humanitarian law and consider the CHR as a civilian agency and not a target of military action. This is despite the fact that the CHR it is an adjunct of the reactionary government and typically downplays human rights abuses of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, especially in counterinsurgency operations. (CPP Information Bureau)