The Commission on Human Rights has received an unsubscribed complaint from families of alleged human rights victims in the hinterland barangays of Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.

Special investigator Jess Cañete of the CHR said that attached to the complaint is an unsigned fact-finding result conducted by the human rights group Karapatan and the Promotion of Church Peoples Response.

Cañete said he is doubtful about the contents of the complaint affidavit, and he wants to get it straight from the supposed complainants themselves.

The complainants went directly to CHR Cebu to file their complaint, but the case was referred back to him, he said.

In spite of this, Cañete reiterated his warning to all army units in the province to be sensitive against violating the human rights of others, especially innocent civilians and farmers in the course of their operation.

“They can run after the rebels but (they) should be mindful against violating the rights of civilians,” Cañete pointed out.

The first complaint that Cañete received this year was against troopers of the 61st Infantry Battalion who are now based in Cauayan, Negros Occidental.

He, however, stressed his office will pursue its investigation on allegations made by relatives of lost victims.*JG

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