Senators seek probe on ‘very disturbing’ killings of activists
MANILA, Philippines— Two senators on Monday joined calls for the immediate investigation on what one called “very disturbing” killings of nine activists by state forces over the weekend.
“Nananawagan ako para sa kagyat at totohanang imbestigasyon sa naganap na mass arrests at pagpatay sa mga aktibista sa Timog Katagalugan kahapon ng umaga,” Senator Leila de Lima said in a statement.
(I’m calling for a swift and truthful investigation on the mass arrests and killings of activists in the Southern Tagalog yesterday morning.)
“Kailangang matigil na ang walang habas na pag-atake sa karapatang pantao. Kailangan ding managot ang mga salarin. The intensifying attacks warrant the attention and condemnation of the Filipino people and the international community,” De Lima added.
(There must be an end to the rampant attacks on human rights. The culprits must also be held liable. The intensifying attacks warrant the attention and condemnation of the Filipino people and the international community.)
Senator Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, asked the Commission on Human Rights to conduct the probe as she strongly condemned the “cowardly crackdown” of activists in the Southern Tagalog.
READ: CHR asked to probe killings of 9 activists
“I am calling for a thorough investigation by the Commission on Human Rights,” Hontiveros said.
“We will also consider filing a bill penalizing red-tagging as a separate and distinct crime because those fighting to protect our basic rights should not be silenced.”
READ: Hontiveros eyes bill criminalizing red-tagging after killing of 9 activists
Separate raids by the police and the military had led to the killings of nine activists— six in Rizal province, two in Batangas, and one in Cavite, and the arrest of six others.
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan found the killings “very disturbing” while Senator Grace Poe, who previously headed the Senate committee on public order, reminded authorities to adhere to due process strictly.
“As a person, I find the killings very disturbing. Every life is precious. Peace and order, not killings, ang mandato ng mga pulis,” Pangilinan said.
“Bilang tao, parang naubos na ang luha at galit ko sa nangyari. Condemnation and outrage would be an understatement over the fate that befell the victims. Have we become a nation of butchers of our fellow Filipinos? Is there no more respect and value for life, rights, and due process?” he asked.
Poe, meanwhile, stressed that police operations against any suspected groups or individuals must strictly adhere to due process.
She cited the Constitution which states that “no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.”
“It is the mandate of law enforcers to ensure that these guarantees are observed and not just dismiss nonchalantly cries of possible human rights violations,” Poe said.
“Protecting the right to life should have the highest threshold in our quest for peace and order,” she also said.
To prevent “such obvious disregard for human life,” Pangilinan urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to use the P289-million body-worn cameras that it purchased in 2019.
“Without the body cameras, the ‘nanlaban’ excuse of the police for killing their captives would always be under a cloud of suspicion,” he said.
He also asked the PNP and other law enforcement agencies to explain what happened to the budget for body cameras appropriated to them as early as 2017 and why these cameras are still not being used in police operations.
“It should not be too complicated to use one. Is there a deliberate delay in utilizing these cameras?” Pangilinan asked.
