Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla has called on the country's United Nations partners to exercise due diligence in validating alleged human rights violations in the Philippines received from various sources.

Remulla warned that the Philippines is dealing with the longest-running communist armed conflict in the world whose supporters "deliberately blur the lines between civic activism and armed violence."

The official issued the words of caution before the UN Human Rights Council's "Adoption of the Recommendations of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review of the Republic of the Philippines" late Wednesday.

"They use human rights as a tool to advance their violent agenda, claiming red-tagging and reprisal when the State exercises its duty to protect the human rights to life, liberty, security of persons, and property; and to preserve national security and safeguard the democratic order," Remulla said.

He was referring to the 53-year-old Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New Peoples' Army.

Remulla added that claims of a shrinking civic and media space are unfounded, arising from a particular politico-security context that is oftentimes overlooked by those that view the Philippines from afar.

Remulla lamented that armed conflict has curtailed the Filipino people's right to development, causing unimaginable suffering to many families, particularly those whose children have been recruited to bear arms against the government.

Rule of law

The Philippine government, he said, is determined to end the problem by addressing its root causes through a whole-of-nation strategy anchored on good governance, rule of law, social justice that will effectively uplift human dignity, and the quest for lasting peace.

"We will continue to cooperate with civil society, and together bring about the peace and progress that the Filipino people richly deserve," he added.

He said accountability is necessary for a just and humane society where the rule of law reigns.