Duterte admin told: Nothing to hide? Let UN probe PH killings, rights status

The bloody aftermath of the crackdown on activists showed the blood-soaked quarters of Workers’ Assistance Center where Manny Asuncion of Bayan-Cavite was gunned down in Dasma, Cavite. Image from KMU/Twitter

MANILA, Philippines — The Duterte administration should allow United Nations (UN) special rapporteurs to conduct investigations on the spate of killings and the state of human rights in the country if it really has nothing to hide, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said Thursday.

Zarate made the remark following the death of nine activists in the alleged simultaneous police operations in the Calabarzon region last March 7, which has since been dubbed “Bloody Sunday.”

“Kung wala talagang itinatago ang kasalukuyang administration, payagan ang international community, ang mga special rapporteurs of the UN na mag-conduct ng investigation dito sa Pilipinas sa mga nangyayaring patayang ito, sa mga nangyayaring malawakang paglabag sa karapatang pantao, at mga walang katuturang pagpaslang sa ating mga mamamayan,” Zarate said in a press brieifing.

Zarate likewise asked Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas if inquest proceedings were conducted following the operations. According to the lawmaker, based on police procedures, inquest proceedings should be conducted if operations resulted in casualties.

“Hinahamon ko si General Sinas, dito ba sa siyam na napaslang… na pinaslang ng mga pulis at militar, nag-conduct ba kayo ng inquest proceeding? Otherwise, you violated your own procedures?” Zarate said.

Zarate’s call was backed by Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas who also urged the international community to deploy fact-finding missions “over this unrelenting spate of killings under the Duterte regime.”

“We need to end this culture of impunity and violence against dissenters,” Brosas said.

ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro, meanwhile, called the Bloody Sunday incident a case of extrajudicial killing.

“Nakita natin ‘yung Bloody Sunday. Malinaw ito na extrajudicial killings… Ako nga tinatawag ko itong mga nangyayari ngayon na ‘double dead’,” Castro said.

“Tinatawagan natin dito ang Department of Justice, and Supreme Court, mag-intervene na rin at ma-imbestigahan ito,” the lawmaker added.

A task force on extrajudicial killings, led by the Department of Justice (DOJ), will investigate the death of the nine activists.

Sinas earlier maintained that the March 7 operations of government forces in Calabarzon that led to the killing and arrest of several activists were “legitimate.”

KGA