Recommendations The Commission strongly condemns the spate of human rights violations committed against the Lumad by all parties – the government and the military, private business interests, non-government organizations, church groups, and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army. 1. The Commission calls on the Armed Forces of the Philippines to subject all the soldiers and officers implicated in cases against the Lumad to genuine investigation. The Commission especially calls on the Armed Forces of the Philippines to fully investigate the 18 August 2015 brutal murders in Mendis, Pangantucan, Bukidnon of five members of an indigenous Manobo family, including a 72-year-old blind person and two children, by members of the Army. All those proven guilty or responsible should face serious disciplinary sanctions, including removal from the service, and prosecution in civilian courts. 2. The Commission recommends that investigations of military abuses, in keeping with principles of transparency, must, as much as possible, be open to the public. The progress or status of the cases, especially the serious or grave ones, must be published on their website and included in the institution’s periodic reports to the public. 3. Random and short-lived initiatives within the Armed Forces of the Philippines cannot instill a culture of respect for human rights within its organization. Institutional mechanisms for upholding the rule of law must be strengthened within the Armed Forces of the Philippines. In this regard, the Commission strongly urges the Armed Forces of the Philippines to adhere to the doctrine of command responsibility, starting with its integration in the education and training of its members, and in its strict application against negligent military officers. 4. The Armed Forces of the Philippines should take strong steps to ensure that it exercises control over all Civilian Volunteer Organizations, private militias, and Special Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit Active Auxiliaries and make them accountable for human rights abuses. 5. The Commission calls on State security forces and their agents to refrain from “redtagging,” as it violates the fundamental liberties of citizens engaged in legitimate advocacies, or even dissent, and undermines the foundation of democracy. 6. The Commission especially calls on the government to hold to account the killers of Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development Executive Director Emerito Samarca, Maluhutayong Pakigbisog Alansa Sa Sumusunod Chairman Dionel Campos, and his cousin, Bello Sinzo. 34