The Philippine police are now desecrating the victims of the Human rights by "pretending" to uphold their rights after killing them. I wonder how fair this Commission of Human Rights (CHR) will be to Francis Xavier Manzano. I wonder how fair they will be to future victims. I question how fair CHR will be when they're so closely tied to the corrupt Philippine Military and Philippine Police.
I must commend the public relations adviser for the Philippine police for coming up with this strategy -- "Let's publicly befriend the CHR to gain the public's trust." Too bad for them that we're not foolish to their publicity stunts. Too bad for them that we realize the police effort in "partnering" with CHR is just their way of keeping "their enemies closer."
Let's continue to pray and hope for truth & justice in our country. I would like to ask fellow bloggers, readers, mailing lists, websites, e-mailers and others who wish to help us gain justice to please spread the link to this website or simply spread the word of our cry for justice. I pray that someone out there reading this can help gain justice for Francis Xavier Manzano.
EXCERPT:
"Police to join celebration of human rights week"
By Katherine Adraneda
The Philippine Star 12/05/2005
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lumibao will join the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and human rights advocates in a ceremony that will recognize "CHR partners," including police and military officers, non-government organizations (NGOs), and civic and church-based groups.
"I hope the occasion will send a message of peace and harmony to every individual across the nation, that human rights knows no bounds," said
Commissioner-in-charge Wilhelm Soriano, of the CHR-National Capital Region.
Dubbed as "Karapatang Pantao: Igalang, Itaguyod, at Ipatupad," the event marks the convergence of police authorities, military officials, and other
"state actors," NGOs, urban poor, informal settlers, church groups, and those who firmly believe in the preservation of the dignity of every human
being.
"A celebration of human rights is a triumph of democracy," Soriano said.
Among those to be conferred plaques of appreciation for their contribution to human rights advocacy are Dagat-dagatan Council of Leaders led by Lilia Esparrago, Bantay Bata Foundation group, Human Rights Defense group, Superintendent Rolando Anonuevo of the PNP Intelligence Training Group, Dr. Liza Derillo of the Soroptomist International of the Philippines, Col. Winston Manay of the Philippine Air Force Officer School, Director Reynaldo Varilla of Human Resource Doctrine Development, General Renato Miranda of
the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Councilor Kevin Delgado of Muntinlupa City, and Councilor Corazon Braga of Antipolo City.
"Our theme concretizes the idea of bringing Filipinos together, regardless of their differences in ideologies and ideals, partisan politics notwithstanding...that they may see eye to eye in terms of defining human rights," Soriano said.
Human rights advocates and members of the police clashed months ago over the implementation of the administration’s calibrated preemptive response (CPR) and "no permit, no rally policy," which were deemed as curtailment to the people’s right to free expression.
The military, on the other hand, has been blamed for the series of human rights abuses, and killings against leaders and members of organizations in
the countryside, who were perceived as members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Meanwhile, human rights group KARAPATAN renews its call for the improvement of the human rights situation in the country.
In its 2005 Human Rights Report, the group said that the Arroyo administration has turned to wanton use of repression and "state terror" to cling to power. KARAPATAN has documented 874 cases of human rights violations, which affected 99,011 individuals; and 14,302 families in 288
communities from January to November this year.
Marie Hilao-Enriquez, leader of KARAPATAN, said that the report is a result of painstaking efforts of human rights workers and volunteers in the
Philippines.
"This makes 2005 possibly the worst year for human rights in the post-Marcos era," Enriquez said.
"The intensity of the political killings that occurred in 2005 and the broadness of its targets to include lawyers, human rights defenders, journalists, church leaders, local officials, community leaders and
organizers, ordinary peasants and workers and members of progressive parties and people’s organization surpasses that of any regime after Martial Law," she added.
According to KARAPATAN, 150 persons, including a two-year-old boy and two unborn children, were killed from January to November this year while the
number of political killings increased by more than 100 percent compared to 2004.
KARAPATAN said that of the 150 victims of political killings, 80 were activists who were critical of the Arroyo regime; the remaining 68 were not known to be affiliated with any political party or organization but were suspected by the military to be sympathizers, supporters, friends or relatives of communist or Muslim rebels.
"On the occasion of the 57th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we believe that possibilities for justice for the victims of
human rights violations and opportunities for the improvement of the human rights situation can only be opened up with the removal of Gloria Arroyo
from the presidency."
ABS-CBN's TV Patrol reported on January 11, 2006 that CHR wound up their investigation and that the final report and resolution will be out in two weeks time. Further report stated that CHR findings has shown THERE WAS NO SHOOT-OUT. Reporter concluded that "in their language it was MURDER". Perhaps, there is still hope in our justice system. As we eagerly await the final report and resolution of the CHR, we hope that PNP-TMG and their leaders will not derail the process, and will be as eager to seek the truth no matter who gets hurt.
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