Palace blasts ‘baseless’ rights abuses claims under Aquino

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Responding to allegations of critics over human rights abuses allegedly committed by state security forces under the Aquino administration, a Malacañang official said Thursday that these claims are unfounded.

In a press briefing, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said that the administration enforces the rule of law and abides by various international treaties on human rights.

“Umiiral ang demokrasya at umiiral ang rule of law sa ating bansa. Mayroong mga usapin na naiharap na laban sa mga nagsagawa ng mga tinatawag na extra-judicial killings.

(Democracy and rule of law prevail in the Philippines. We have conducted dialogues with groups who allegedly committed extra-judicial killings.)

Meron tayong Commission on Human Rights. Patuloy ang pagtalima natin sa mga international treaties and conventions on human rights bilang kasapi ng United Nations.

(We have the Commission on Human Rights. We continue to abide by international treaties and conventions on human rights as a member of the United Nations.)

Kaya’t hindi makatwiran para sa mga indibidwal o pangkat na magbigay ng suhestiyon na mayroong malawak o laganap na hindi pagkilala sa human rights sa ating bansa. Kailangang suriin ang kongkretong record bago gumawa ng ganyang mga pahayag.” Coloma said.

(Thus, the allegation of various individuals and groups that there is widespread violation of human rights in the country is not justified. They must look into records before they make those accusations.)

Various contingents from Mindanao held a protest march called ManiLakbayan to Manila to commemorate International Human Rights Day on December 10. The protest march scores the state’s counter-insurgency measure called “Oplan Bayanihan,” claiming that it endangers communities in Mindanao.

RELATED STORIES

Courts so slow on human rights abuse cases, abet impunity

Aquino defends his administration’s human rights record