dismal that it can be translated to one extrajudicial killing for
every three days.
This was the statement of Genuine Opposition senatorial candidate
Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel today as he strongly criticized the Arroyo
government for failing to protect the basic civil liberties of our
people.
Pimentel, a human rights lawyer, reported more than 838 summary
killings of civilians and activists in 75 months or six years under
the watch of Mrs. Arroyo.
Pimentel said President Arroyo cannot dodge from the blame for this
reckless abuse of human rights.
"We should not forget that Mrs. Arroyo, is also the commander-in-chief
of the armed forces, thus you cannot take away the principle of
command responsibility," Pimentel stressed.
Pimentel said the regime of Mrs. Gloria Arroyo has no respect for
human rights and for the lives of fellow Filipinos.
Pimentel said that if elected, he and the members of the Genuine
Opposition will investigate each and every incident of extrajudicial
killings.
He emphasized that Filipinos must resist any form of militarization in
the country and will fight to uphold the rule of law.
These summary killings must be stopped because frequency of
extrajudicial killings cheapens human life, Pimentel emphasized.
"We must all remember that life is the most important and precious
thing, which all of us must protect," Pimentel said.
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