BACOLOD CITY – The Commission on Human Rights in Negros Occidental will investigate the killing of seven civilians allegedly by members of the New People's Army on suspicion of being military spies.Vincent Parra, CHR-Negros Occidental OIC, told The Manila Times on May 12 that their constitutional mandate is to investigate even non-state actors that commit human rights violations.'We will conduct an independent investigation into violations of civil and political rights,' said Parra.
''When we file cases in court, we should establish who the perpetrators are,' he said.The investigation and filing of the appropriate cases, he said 'is a mandate by the police.'Parra pointed out that the CHR's mandate is to monitor 'that the state is doing its obligation to file necessary charges against the suspects in the court.''This is to ensure that the families of the victims of these killings are given justice,' he said.