church-based human rights group dared the Arroyo government to
immediately heed the recommendations of United Nations Special
Rapportuer Philip Alston, warning that the Philippines will gain the
title of 'most corrupt and weakest democracy' in Asia and the whole
world if the extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances,
unjustified arrests and other attacks on human rights persist.
"While Malacañang officials are reportedly embarrassed as the world
watched the latest hostage crisis wherein Mr. Armando Ducat expressed
sentiments on corruption and poverty issues, it is deplorable that
Arroyo and her defense officials remain boastful of the 'beauty of
democracy' even as the world is also watching the wave of
extra-judicial killings and political persecution, particularly the
cases of Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and Anakpawis Rep. Crispin
Beltran which will be investigated soon by members of the
International Parliamentarians Union (IPU), Fr. Jerry Sabado, OCarm,
PCPR Spokesperson stated.
The group criticized Malacañang, military and defense officials for
remaining 'arrogantly deaf and shameless' in the face of international
criticism on the spate of extra-judicial killings under Arroyo.
"We recall that Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. poked fun at
Alston, who linked the military to the spate of extrajudicial
killings, saying the UN Rapportuer was 'blind, mute, and deaf' while
Justice Secretary called Alston a 'muchacho' and 'minor UN figure.' In
fact it is Arroyo and her team of policy-makers are the ones being
'blind, mute, and deaf' to the wave of international attention on the
issue, the latest calls coming from the US Senate, the Permanent
People's Tribunal and again from Mr. Alston who formally reported to
the UN Human Rights Council this week. What's even more embarrassing
and outrageous for our people is that the likes of Palparan and
Garcillano are still able to run for public office despite their
record in human rights violations and mockery of the electoral
system," PCPR noted.
PCPR welcomed Mr. Alston's report, noting that his first
recommendation for the military to cease from linking political
activists to those engaged in armed insurgencies has also been the
recommendation of various international church groups that have
expressed concern on the country's deteriorating human situation under
the government's counter-insurgency operations that make civilian
activists targets of systematic political killings and repression.
PCPR further challenged the Supreme Court to take note of Mr. Alston's
third recommendation: … 'the Supreme Court should use its
constitutional powers over the practice of law to impress upon
prosecutors that they have a duty to the public to uphold and protect
human rights by acting to ensure the effective investigation of cases
and protection of witnesses…' "We urge the SC Justices to rule for the
dismissal of the fabricated charges against the leaders of progressive
party-list groups. Let justice prevail on the harassment cases against
Ka Satur and Ka Bel so that they can continue giving voice for the
rights and welfare of the marginalized sectors," PCPR concluded.
Reference: Fr. Jerry Sabado, OCarm, PCPR Spokesperson
Contact: 4107623
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DAVAO TODAY
Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines
http://www.davaotoday.com
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