Ecumenical mov’t, HR group hit GMA for killings 06-07-23

	NORDIS WEEKLY July 23, 2006
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Ecumenical mov’t, HR group hit GMA for killings
BAGUIO CITY (July 21) — Kairos an international ecumenical movement for justice; and the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) denounced and blamed the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) administration for the continuing extra judicial killings. According to Fr. Joe Dizon of Kairos, the cold inaction of the present government against the continuing extra-judicial killings is enough proof that it is a state policy to eliminate the critics. Dizon added that regardless of who the perpetrators are, it is the government’s responsibility to protect its people. He said even if the death penalty has been scrapped people are being killed everywhere without due process of law. “We should bring the issue to the doorstep of Malacañang. The GMA administration is struggling to survive and utilizes bribery, intimidation, even killings in order to maintain power,” Dizon said in Filipino. Dizon suggested the creation of an independent commission to investigate the killings, adding that Task Force Usig did not work because it is composed of soldiers and police officers. “Nobody believes Task Force Usig because it is composed of the people from the very institutions suspected as perpetrators of such killings,” Dizon said. He also hit the all-out war policy of GMA saying that this would not stop political unrest. “She (GMA) did not learn from experience. Military ways cannot end the social problems of the country. Marcos, who during his term had the solid support of the AFP, PNP and United States used military rule but failed to end the rebellion, how much more for GMA who is now isolated,” he stressed. CHRA Vice-chair Beverly Longid said the simple justification that unarmed civilians killed are considered as “collateral damage” to the war against insurgency “shows that the state is pulling the trigger against those who voice out the truth and work for social change”. “We are calling the attention of the public to this truth. This is the real state of the nation. We must hold the Arroyo regime accountable for each death and disappearance, each threat issued by the state against our basic rights,” the CHRA statement read. CHRA reports show that 17 unarmed civilians were killed in the Cordillera since Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) assumed the presidency. She added that perpetrators are either identified members of the AFP and PNP or suspected military hitmen. Longid said the latest victim of these killings is Sauyen Uyad, an 18-year old student allegedly killed by elements of the 54th infantry battalion and 50th special rifle company in Mt. Banway, Gueday, Mt. Province last July 8. Aside from killings, CHRA recorded gross human rights violations all over the region. Benita Cariño, mother of Delfin Cariño a member of the New Peoples Army (NPA) said her son was wounded in an encounter last July 7, between elements of the 41st IB of the 503rd Brigade and NPA guerillas and remains missing since. She said they already sought the help of the mayor of Lacub and church leaders but to no avail. Longid stressed that only the 41st IB had access at the encounter cite. “It is impossible for the elements of the 41st IB not to have seen a wounded person while searching the area,” she said. “The 41st IB has no right to withhold Cariño whether he is an NPA or not as provided for by law and international conventions,” Longid added. Nordis earlier reported that on June 28, unidentified gunmen shot Nicolas Dammay on the left arm in his house in Malagnat, Pinukpuk, Kalinga. Police claimed it was mistaken identity. The real target was his brother Tomas Dammay, a member of the regional council of Alyansa dagiti Pesante iti Taeng Kordilyera (Apit Tako). The same reports mentioned that spouses Orlando and Petrona Awingan escaped death after unidentified men strafed their house in Limos, Pinukpuk last June 30. The fact-finding team led by the CHRA documented that 85 bullets hit the Awingan house. Human rights advocates are wary of the continuing and intensifying surveillance and intimidation of progressive leaders and members. # Kim Quitasol for NORDIS Post your comments, reactions to this article
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	NORDIS WEEKLY July 23, 2006
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
Ecumenical mov’t, HR group hit GMA for killings
BAGUIO CITY (July 21) — Kairos an international ecumenical movement for justice; and the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) denounced and blamed the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) administration for the continuing extra judicial killings. According to Fr. Joe Dizon of Kairos, the cold inaction of the present government against the continuing extra-judicial killings is enough proof that it is a state policy to eliminate the critics. Dizon added that regardless of who the perpetrators are, it is the government’s responsibility to protect its people. He said even if the death penalty has been scrapped people are being killed everywhere without due process of law. “We should bring the issue to the doorstep of Malacañang. The GMA administration is struggling to survive and utilizes bribery, intimidation, even killings in order to maintain power,” Dizon said in Filipino. Dizon suggested the creation of an independent commission to investigate the killings, adding that Task Force Usig did not work because it is composed of soldiers and police officers. “Nobody believes Task Force Usig because it is composed of the people from the very institutions suspected as perpetrators of such killings,” Dizon said. He also hit the all-out war policy of GMA saying that this would not stop political unrest. “She (GMA) did not learn from experience. Military ways cannot end the social problems of the country. Marcos, who during his term had the solid support of the AFP, PNP and United States used military rule but failed to end the rebellion, how much more for GMA who is now isolated,” he stressed. CHRA Vice-chair Beverly Longid said the simple justification that unarmed civilians killed are considered as “collateral damage” to the war against insurgency “shows that the state is pulling the trigger against those who voice out the truth and work for social change”. “We are calling the attention of the public to this truth. This is the real state of the nation. We must hold the Arroyo regime accountable for each death and disappearance, each threat issued by the state against our basic rights,” the CHRA statement read. CHRA reports show that 17 unarmed civilians were killed in the Cordillera since Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) assumed the presidency. She added that perpetrators are either identified members of the AFP and PNP or suspected military hitmen. Longid said the latest victim of these killings is Sauyen Uyad, an 18-year old student allegedly killed by elements of the 54th infantry battalion and 50th special rifle company in Mt. Banway, Gueday, Mt. Province last July 8. Aside from killings, CHRA recorded gross human rights violations all over the region. Benita Cariño, mother of Delfin Cariño a member of the New Peoples Army (NPA) said her son was wounded in an encounter last July 7, between elements of the 41st IB of the 503rd Brigade and NPA guerillas and remains missing since. She said they already sought the help of the mayor of Lacub and church leaders but to no avail. Longid stressed that only the 41st IB had access at the encounter cite. “It is impossible for the elements of the 41st IB not to have seen a wounded person while searching the area,” she said. “The 41st IB has no right to withhold Cariño whether he is an NPA or not as provided for by law and international conventions,” Longid added. Nordis earlier reported that on June 28, unidentified gunmen shot Nicolas Dammay on the left arm in his house in Malagnat, Pinukpuk, Kalinga. Police claimed it was mistaken identity. The real target was his brother Tomas Dammay, a member of the regional council of Alyansa dagiti Pesante iti Taeng Kordilyera (Apit Tako). The same reports mentioned that spouses Orlando and Petrona Awingan escaped death after unidentified men strafed their house in Limos, Pinukpuk last June 30. The fact-finding team led by the CHRA documented that 85 bullets hit the Awingan house. Human rights advocates are wary of the continuing and intensifying surveillance and intimidation of progressive leaders and members. # Kim Quitasol for NORDIS Post your comments, reactions to this article
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