Leaders of the Sentrong Alyansa ng mga Mamamayan para sa Bayan (Sambayanan)-Negros have filed a petition before the Commission on Human Rights – Negros Island Region (CHR-NIR) to investigate a series of alleged summary executions and human rights violations committed by the New People’s Army (NPA).
The petition filed on Thursday, March 26, targets the Armando Sumayang Jr. Command of the NPA for crimes against humanity and grave breaches of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), Sambayanan Negros said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.
SPY-TAGGING
Submitted by Sambayanan-Negros President Jonel Moreno and Regional Coordinator Winefredo C. Doblizo Jr., the document outlines a violent campaign against civilians throughout 2025 and early 2026.
The organization alleges that the NPA utilizes a practice known as “spy-tagging” to justify the execution of non-combatants.
Cases highlighted in the complaint include:
*Nora Anguit: A 74-year-old woman executed on Feb. 3, 2026, in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City. The NPA publicly claimed responsibility, labeling the elderly victim an “intel asset.”
*Ariel Calumboy: A local leader and Barangay Kagawad shot dead on Nov. 3, 2025, in Barangay Tambad, Cauayan. Calumboy served as the Sambayanan-Negros Cauayan Cluster president.
Sambayanan-Negros said there were 26 other civilian deaths in 2025 alone, all reportedly linked to similar accusations.
The complainants argue these acts are direct violations of Republic Act No. 9851 (The Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity).
Specifically, they cite a breach of the Principle of Distinction, which mandates the absolute protection of civilians during armed conflict.
“The practice of labeling individuals as spies to justify killings is a dangerous precedent that endangers entire communities,” Moreno said.
“No one should be targeted or killed without due process. We are asking for a full inquiry to establish the truth”, he said.
Sambayanan-Negros has requested that the CHR-NIR to conduct fact finding to establish the circumstances of the killings and identify responsible parties.
It is also asking the CHR to assess whether these acts constitute gross violations of IHL and R.A. 9851, and to refer its findings to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for criminal prosecution.
Sambayanan-Negros said it is prepared to provide witness testimonies and supplementary evidence to ensure justice for the victims and their families.*
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