4. Reason for political killings.
Gen. Razon admitted that TFU still cannot explain the reason for the increase in political killings. Thus, TFU fell short of its objective to establish who is responsible for the killings and to determine whether there is a pattern of serialized killings victimizing leftist activist and journalist.
4.1 Gen. Razon refused to attribute the upsurge of political killings to the Presidents declaration of an all out war against the communist insurgents.
4.2 But he was quick to say that their records show that the killings are the result of CPP/NPA own purging because of financial opportunism.
Gen. Razon admitted that he agrees with the statement of Gen. Palparan that organizations such as Karapatan and Bayan Muna are fronts of the CPP-NPA, and that unless we stop fooling ourselves that they are not fronts, we will not be able to solve the insurgency problem. He further asserted that the NDF and Bayan Muna provide support, money, resources, and legal assistance to the CPP/NPA.
However, when asked by Chairman Melo whether TFU has data on whom among those killed were finance officers, Gen. Razon could point to only two victims who were allegedly involved in financial operations.
5. TFU did not investigate Gen. Palparan, nor was he asked to account for his statements.
5.1 Notwithstanding the widespread reports that Gen. Palparan had been suspected of being involved in the extrajudicial killing of leftist activists, TFU never summoned Gen. Palparan for questioning or investigation. Gen. Razon made it clear that Gen. Palparan is not under the jurisdiction of the PNP or Task Force Usig. Moreover, he stated that there was still no basis/evidence to summon or investigate a personality such as Gen. Palparan. The PNP needs to operate within the law. Hence, it needs evidence before it can investigate officers.
Atty. Vinluan pointed out, however, that the purpose of investigation is precisely to gather evidence. PNP does not need evidence before it can investigate Gen. Palparan
5.2 Gen. Razon testified that TFU did not ask the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military to look into the alleged violations of Gen. Palparan and the military. However, he supposedly asked the head of the AFP to look into the participation of the military in the killings. Atty. Vinluan asked for copies of such letter-request.
6. Command responsibility
TFU did not investigate higher-ranking military officials. Gen. Razon claimed that the PNP cannot go further than the suspect. If the Sergeant remains silent or refuses or fails to point to the involvement of a superior officer, the PNP cannot go higher.
TFU pointed out that military operations are beyond the scope of the TFU. Since the military conducts its own operations. TFU investigated only four military personnel.
7. Personal opinion
When asked by Chairman Melo whether he would have summoned Gen. Palparan if the latter were under his command, Gen. Razon replied that he would have immediately called Gen. Palparan to explain why there was an apparent increase in the incident[s] in the areas where he was assigned. But Gen. Razon also said that Gen. Palparan will not incriminate himself.
8. Recommendations of TFU
To conclude his testimony, General Razon made the following recommendations for the successful investigation and prevention of future killings:
8.1 Closer collaboration of law enforcement/prosecution without sacrificing their impartiality;
8.2 Faster issuance of warrants of arrests;
8.3 Expedite conduct of preliminary investigations;
8.4 Strengthen Witness Protection Program, increase budget to provide economic opportunities for families.
