“It is a resounding and indubitable proof that extrajudicial killings had been committed by state security forces, in this instance by members of the military. The government cannot, with any credibility say that there are no extrajudicial killings much less its security forces are not engaging in such atrocious acts and more than that, that it is an orchestrated and premeditated policy and practice.”
Time and again, human rights organizations have called for independent investigation of mounting cases of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arrests and filing of trumped-up cases, to name a few.
This is ultimately a product of public vigilance and pressure by human rights defenders aided also by conscientious legal work.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
At the pre-trial hearing on Oct. 27, the two suspects in the killing of Benjamin Bayles denied being members of the 61st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (IBPA). The 303rd and 302nd Infantry Brigades have also denied that the two are members of the Philippine Army for four months, but the Headquarters of the Philippine Army officially confirmed their membership and rank last October 9.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
The Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which often dismiss accusations that soldiers are involved in extrajudicial killings, admitted that the suspected perpetrators in the extra judicial killing of Bayan Muna Negros member Benjamin Bayles are members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines(AFP). But this happened, Karapatan said, only after their own investigation revealed the true identities of the suspects.
Dear Mr President: Greetings of Peace based on Justice from Bago City, Negros Occidental. In the outset allow me to qoute the verse: But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! -Amos 5:24 (NIV). This is the passage from the Bible intended to the ruler and king of Judah as…
Last June 14, 2010, Benjamin “Benjie” Bayles was killed in Negros Occidental. He was the 1,200th victim of what is seen a military campaign against civic society activists. Yet his case is different. For the first time, the suspects were arrested by the police. A dirty game is going on now. There military pressures to…
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Even as the Arroyo administration is about to turn over the reins of government to incoming president Noynoy Aquino, six new extrajudicial killings were committed, sending a message that impunity is here to stay, unless the incoming Aquino government will do something about it.