CPP/NDF: Justice still elusive for Leonard Co as human rights violations remain widespread

Posted to the CPP Website (Nov 15): Justice still elusive for Leonard Co as human rights violations remain widespread

Fr. Santiago Salas (Ka Sanny)
Spokesperson
NDF-Eastern Visayas

The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas today marked the second death anniversary of scientist Leonard Co who was murdered in Kananga, Leyte, and said that justice remains elusive for him because human rights violations have not been addressed but in fact continue under the Aquino regime’s Oplan Bayanihan. “It is sad to note that two years after the massacre of Leonard Co and his companions in November 2010, not one of the perpetrators from the 19th IB have been brought to justice, and that is true of other rights violations as well,” said NDF-EV spokesperson Fr. Santiago Salas. “Government troops enjoy impunity on military offensives disguised as for “peace and development.” The military propagadists led by the chief of the 8th Infantry Division, Gen. Gerardo Layug, are bastardizing human rights and international humanitarian law in claiming to uphold these even as many civilians are affected by Oplan Bayanihan.”.... Furthermore, there is clear US backing for Oplan Bayanihan not only as a “counterinsurgency” doctrine but through direct support—a glaring violation of national sovereignty—as seen in the 8th ID’s boasting that US troops provided them this year with infrastructure, medical and capability support through the Pacific Partnership military intervention disguised as a “humanitarian mission.” The Aquino regime is also using its so-called Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) as a “counterinsurgency” tool, where millions are poured into communities being torn by militarization to cover up the realities of rights violations and the lack of long-lasting solutions for the people’s poverty and misery....

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/justice-still-elusive-for-leonard-co-as-human-rights-violations-remain-widespread