CHR probe set, copsthreatened with suits

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 1, 2019): CHR probe set, copsthreatened with suits

San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza yesterday said he is calling for an investigation into the killing of the 14 who allegedly resisted arrest in Negros Oriental, to determine if due process was observed, while a leader of a militant group said they will file criminal cases against the policemen who carried out the “massacre”.

Philippine National Police spokesperson, Col. Bernard Banac, in response to attacks on the killing of the 14, said in a statement yesterday that “the law enforcement operations were legitimate and covered by search warrants issued by the court.”

He said the PNP will welcome any move by groups challenging the veracity of their operations.

Alminaza asked if it is proper procedure for policemen to serve search warrants in the wee hours of the morning, while wearing masks.

“Please, as you do your task, make sure you don’t violate human rights and the dignity of our fellowmen and women. We don’t want to turn our beautiful island of Negros into a killing field,” the bishop said.

The parish administrator of the Canlaon Parish informed him that one of those killed was former lay minister Gonzalo Rosales and he could vouch for his moral character, Alminaza said.

“Others were not even shown the supposed arrest papers. Some of those killed belonged to our Mission Station in Masulog in Canlaon City,” the bishop added.

“What’s happening? Are we still observing law and order? We demand a quick investigation on this and appeal to our government authorities to restore peace and order,” he said, pointing out that this has caused residents to live in fear.

“Please make sure you are not adding more reasons for our people to get disillusioned with our government and peacekeepers. That will make you the best recruiters for the underground movement, “ Alminaza said.

He called for dialog as a lasting solution to peace, which cannot be attained through violence.

CRIMINAL CASES

“We warn the police that we will pursue justice so that the police involved will suffer the fate of Gen. Jovito Palparan who is now languishing in prison. We demand that the PNP and AFP release the names of all those involved so that we can file criminal cases against them,” Bayan Muna chairman and Makabayan senatorial candidate Neri Colmenares said.

“The killing of the 14 is beyond words and the height of impunity of state forces. Justice must be served," he said

Colmenares slammed the claim of the PNP that the 14 fought back. “This is absurd because they raided different barangays in different municipalities at 12 midnight when the victims were asleep and suddenly everyone simultaneously and conveniently fought back,” he said.

“State forces conducting counter-insurgency operations are wreaking havoc in Negros and passing it off as anti-criminality operations. They are targeting members of people’s organizations and killing ordinary farmers whom they suspect of being rebels or rebel sympathizers. This is OplanTokhang now being done to farmers," he said.

Colmenares said the killing of the 14 is identical to the attack last year that massacred five leaders and members of a farmers’ association in Guihulngan City in the guise of an anti-crime campaign.

“These attacks should be stopped," Colmenares added.

"They were defenseless. It's clear that it was a massacre,” Maria Sol Taule, legal counsel for rights group Karapatan, claimed.

CHR PROBE SET

Commission on Human Rights spokesperson, Jacqueline Ann de Guia, said the rate by which the death count rises in the country continues to be a grave human rights concern for the CHR.

“At this point, our interest is finding out the truth behind a police operation, which authorities claim to be meant to serve warrants of arrest, but resulted in 14 deaths of farmers and a cop said to be injured,” she said.

“Even claims of resisting arrest to justify fatalities need to be tried before courts to ensure that there are no lapses and ascertain if the circumstances really warrant the offense from the police, resulting in the curtailment of life,” De Guia said.

The regional sub-office of CHR-Region VII has already been instructed to investigate this case, she added.

Senatorial bet Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada said “These killings have to stop. This government should start giving value to life and justice especially to our farmers and their families.”

“I condemn the killings of farmers in Negros Oriental in the guise of an anti-criminality campaign,” he added.

Bayan-Negros staged a rally in front of the Fountain of Justice at Araneta Street in Bacolod City yesterday to call for an end to the killing of farmers.

The National Federation of Sugar Workers, Karapatan, Teatro Obrero and the NPA Leonardo Panaligan Command in central Negros also condemned the killings and called for justice for the victims.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/April/01/topstory2.htm