AFP submits list of alleged NPA attacks on civilian properties to UN

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said it has submitted its report on the 532 violent incidents allegedly perpetrated by communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels against civilian properties to the United Nations.

According to the AFP, the list was submitted on Monday to Signe Poulsen, representative to the Philippines of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as to Gustavo Gonzales, UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in the Philippines.

Some copies of the report were also sent to Undersecretary Severo Catura, executive director of Presidential Human Rights Committee, and Assistant Secretary Noralyn Jubaira-Baja, Office of the United Nations and International Organizations, Department of Foreign Affairs.

The said list was initially submitted to the Commission on Human Rights on January 7.

According to Marco Valbuena, information officer of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), its operatives destroyed civilian properties to enforce CPP's laws in protecting the environment, but noted that the aggrieved owners were compensated.

Valbuena also downplayed the AFP’s submission to the CHR as he reasoned out that the agency does not have jurisdiction over the communist groups.

The AFP said the number of violent incidents is expected to increase as the military continues their inquiry and reports on the supposed hostile activities of the rebels. —KBK, GMA News