HRW: Agusan del Sur town mayor, son killings ‘plain murder’

Mayor Dario Otaza of Loreto, Agusan del Sur poses for an interview with reporters in December last year saying his town has managed to drive away communist insurgents New People’s Army and dissuaded residents from joining the group. He was a former NPA rebel himself who returned to the folds of the law and managed to enter politics. He and his 27-year-old son were found dead last October 19, an act admitted by the NPA. DENNIS JAY SANTOS/INQUIRER MINDANAO

DAVAO CITY—Communist rebels drew flak from the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) over the killings of Loreto, Agusan del Sur Mayor Dario Otaza and his son who were found dead last October 20.

The HRW said it could not be justified and it was plain murder.

READ: Pagpatay kay Agusan Mayor Otaza inako na ng NPA

The New People’s Army (NPA) owned up to the abduction and eventual execution of the 53-year-old Otaza and the 27-year old Daryl, saying it was revolutionary justice.

READ: NPA: Mayor, son punished for ‘counter-revolutionary’ activities

“The killing of the Otazas—like other NPA executions—is just plain murder,” Phil Robertson, HRW deputy Asia director, said.

Robertson said while the rebel group frequently killed people found guilty by the so-called people’s courts, the trials were far from being fair.

“The NPA’s actions and claims of revolutionary justice handed down by people’s courts are flagrant violations of international law,” he said. RAM