MANILA, Philippines—President Benigo Aquino has directed the filing of human rights violation cases against Abu Sayyaf extremists who were responsible for the deaths of seven Marine soldiers, some of whom were beheaded, in Sulu last July, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Friday.
“The President does not want those seven killed Marines to be just another statistic. It is imperative that the perpetrators be brought to justice. Soldiers, like anyone else, deserve justice and respect for their human rights … Accountability for human rights violations cover both state and non-state actors,” de Lima said.
Those killed in the Marines’ July 28 encounter with the Abu Sayyaf in Patikul, Sulu were 2nd Lieutenant Michael Baladad, Sargeant Desiderio Serdan, Jr., Corporals Claro Lapasaran III, Ramsel Laynesa, and Freddie Castellano, Jr., and Privates First Class Juanito Evasco, Jr. and Nico Tinambunan.
In an August 25 memorandum, De Lima directed Prosecutor General Claro Arellano and National Bureau of Investigation chief Magtanggol Gatdula “to form an investigative team composed of representatives from your respective offices, that shall be tasked with investigating the incident that resulted in their deaths in order to identify the individuals involved and collect whatever evidence may be available towards the end of filing the appropriate charges against those found responsible and building up strong cases to obtain their conviction.”
Arellano and Gatdula were also directed to coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, the Commission on Human Rights and the Witness Protection, Security and Benefits program of the Department of Justice.