What happened to NDFP probe of Masbate incident?

It would be one year this June 6 since the Masbate incident in 2021 that saw the tragic killings of 21-year-old scholar-athlete Kieth Absalon and his 40-year-old cousin union leader Nolven Absalon who were riding on bicycles when hit by a landmine or improvised explosive device (IED) blast admittedly caused by a New People’s Army (NPA) unit in the Masbate City coastal outskirts.

It is correct for the people and all other entities to expect the investigation of the Masbate incident within the NPA command structure and within the frameworks of the Communist Party of the Philippines, National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), and the People’s Democratic Government.

Under the responsibility and direction of the NDFP and within the legal system of the People’s Democratic Government, the investigation must be started and completed within the NPA command structure to fully and completely establish the facts and prepare any appropriate charges before any procedure to prosecute and try the case before the military court of the NPA or people’s court.

The NDFP will make sure that certain questions are answered by a thoroughgoing investigation. The questions include the following: 1) If true, which NPA unit and personnel are involved?; 2) Is there no case of the enemy committing the crime and falsely ascribing it to the NPA?; and 3) Is there no local feud involved?

One year hence, isn’t it more than reasonable for all those sincerely concerned about the Masbate incident to ask the CPP-NPA-NDFP what happened to that avowed NPA investigation in terms of both outcome and process, not to mention even the prosecution and trial “before the military court of the NPA or people’s court”? The answer should best include fair and true information on “the legal system of the People’s Democratic Government,” its legal framework, criminal law, procedure, and indispensable judicial guarantees in the investigation, prosecution, and trial of crimes, “as applied” to the Masbate incident. Can this system render justice? Can it be trusted to render justice?

SOLIMAN M. SANTOS JR.
Human Rights Lawyer