1. We assure the public that the higher and lower Party committees, NPA commands and revolutionary organs of governance are fully capable of determining the necessary course of action to correct the errors of the NPA unit that led to the June 6 Masbate tragedy involving the deaths of local civilians Kieth and Nolven Absalon. Under direction of the Party’s leadership, the incident is being fully assessed with the aim of avoiding such errors in the future and further strengthening the NPA in serving and defending the people.

2. The Party takes cognizance of the grave sentiments and denouncement expressed by concerned quarters. Indeed, the unfortunate incident involves a breach of international laws of war and of the internal rules of the NPA which gives the highest priority to the protection of civilians at all times.

3. We pledge to provide the family of the victims full remuneration for their loss as practiced under international laws governing armed conflict. This is a matter of justice and obligation on the part of the CPP, the NPA and NDFP as signatories to the Geneva Conventions. This process of indemnification will be accomplished in due time.

4. To determine the course of action, the Rules of the New People’s Army, the Rules for Establishing the People’s Democratic Government, together with the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and pertinent provisions of the Geneva Conventions are being used as guides to determining the proper resolutions.

5. Under the CARHRIHL, we are obliged to cooperate with the NDFP Section of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) if a complaint is filed before it.

6. The NPA unit and personnel who committed the unfortunate errors last June 6 are under the authority of the NPA and the People’s Democratic Government. In line with the NPA’s rules, they can be meted out disciplinary action or punishment corresponding to their individual responsibilities and conduct during the incident.