The Court of Appeals’ decision on the abduction of farmer-activist Jonas Burgos shows it is not “rogue elements” in the military and police but the two institutions themselves that are responsible for enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of people perceived as “enemies of state,” a lawyers’ group said Saturday.
A new body tasked to handle extrajudicial killings and other abuses is set to release a list of “cold” human rights cases that may be revived for reinvestigation and possible prosecution of the perpetrators.
The Aquino administration has come up with a plan to prioritize the investigation of the murders of political activists and journalists, and to more effectively prosecute these cases.
The superbody tasked to handle cases on extra judicial killings will start working on January 8, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said on Wednesday.
Senator Panfilo Lacson heaved a sigh of relief on Wednesday after the Supreme Court affirmed the dismissal of the multiple murder charges filed against him in connection with the “Kuratong Baleleng” rubout case.
Lumad leaders slit the neck of a rooster in a Banwaon ritual which means “to soften the heart,” in Manila Monday in an appeal for justice for extrajudicial killings, forced evacuations and large-scale mining in Mindanao.
President Benigno Aquino has created a super body that will investigate old and new cases of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other grave human rights violations, with “greater priority” to be given to those committed under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Rights groups challenged President Barack Obama on Thursday to use his second term to close Guantanamo and end drone attacks, warrantless surveillance and extrajudicial killings.
The extrajudicial killings in Mindanao prove that hundreds of Jovito Palparans exist in the military, contrary to the claims of a high military official that the so-called “berdugo (butcher)” was the last of his kind, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said.
Italian Ambassador to the Philippines Luca Fornari expressed impatience over the pace that justice grinds for slain Italian priest Fr. Fausto Tentorio.
Bishop Wilfredo Manlapaz of the Diocese of Tagum is rallying Catholics here to rise against summary executions perpetrated by vigilantes.
A tribal leader said to be leading opposition to the use of land being claimed by his tribe for a palm oil plantation has been shot dead on Wednesday, the latest victim of continued extrajudicial killings in the country.
The Aquino administration came under fire Thursday for blaming the judiciary for the slow progress in the investigation of human rights abuses.
