Karapatan-Southern Tagalog sent a team today to the camp of the 201st Infantry Brigade in Calauag, Quezon to investigate the whereabouts and condition of Randy Reota. The military reported Reota as a New People’s Army (NPA) member who surrendered after an ambush by an NPA-Quezon unit in Barangay Doña Aurora, Calauag on March 25.

In the statement of Karapatan-Southern Tagalog, its team reported having interviewed Col. Romero of the 201st IBde. The military official says Reota is not inside the camp but is under the custody of the 85th IB covering Lopez, Quezon and was undergoing “debriefing”.

The Karapatan team aimed to conduct an investigation to ensure that Reota’s human rights are respected even as a suspected member of the NPA. “His basic rights prevail in accordance to the international law of war,” it said.

According to international humanitarian law, if a party is captured by a rival armed force, their rights must be recognized and they must not be subjected to torture, harm or any other violation. Meanwhile, the rules strictly prohibit the arbitrary arrest of civilians.

The team continues to investigate Reota’s condition and ensure that he receives fair and just treatment according to the law and corresponding protections.