Progressive groups here said human rights violations are
still prevalent in the Southern Mindanao Region, citing reports on
extrajudicial killings, illegal arrests and torture.
Karapatan Southern Mindanao Region secretary general Hanimay
Suazo said that since the start of the administration of President Benigno
Simeon Aquino III, there have been 33 cases of extrajudicial killings in the
region; 36 cases of illegal arrests involving human rights activist,
environment defenders, civilians suspected as rebels, and even members of New
People’s Army whose cases have not undergone due process; and 11 tortures.
Speaking at a forum on human rights and peace at the
Homitori Dormitel, Karapatan chairperson Marie Hilao Enriquez said it was high
time to increase vigilance by monitoring human rights abuses, especially with
the approach of the anniversaries of the declaration of martial law on Sept. 21
and the Ampatuan Massacre in November.
“Nothing is happening yet with the Ampatuan Massacre,”
Enriquez noted.
Suazo said that Mindanao is among the most “highly
militarized” regions in the Philippines
She accused the Armed Forces of the Philippines
In a statement, Felixberto Calang, of the human rights
organization Barug Katungod, said the Mindanao Human Rights and Peace
Conference was a venue where different progressive groups aimed to reach a
unified decision on different issues, among these the resumption of peace talks
between the government and the National Democratic Front.
“As Mindanawons, there is a need for grassroots communities
and the basic sectors, human rights workers and advocates, church people,
lawyers, and other professionals to come together and forge common action to
meet these challenges head on,” Calang said.
Enriquez said that the presidency of Benigno Simeon Aquino
III is “not helpful” to the Philippines
“Now, during the administration of Aquino, there have been
204 extrajudicial killings, 71 missing persons, and 99 reported tortures,”
Enriquez said.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2014/09/18/human-rights-violations-still-prevalent-in-davao-region/
KARAPATAN (The Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights) is the main Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) human rights umbrella front organization active in the Philippines. Furthermore, Bishop Felixberto Calang of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Philippine Independent Church or PIC) serves as a member/officer of several CPP human rights front groups and apparently maintains a cozy relationship with the commies.
ReplyDeleteThe sources and methods that KARAPATAN uses to arrive at the statistics the group frequently disseminates to the media is rarely, if ever, challenged. One has to be highly suspicious of statistics that are conjured up by such a pro-CPP organization. KARAPATAN's anti-government/military agenda is certainly no secret.