Cordi rights groups urge gov’t to consider Alston’s report

BAGUIO CITY (Feb. 23) – Human rights advocates in the region challenged government to seriously consider and study the findings and recommendations of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extra Judicial Killings, Summary or Arbitrary Executions.

Atty. Randy Kinaud, secretary general of the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) urged the government to seriously look into Alston’s findings instead of criticizing it as biased. He stressed that by accepting and studying Alston’s report the government could draw up workable plans to actually put an end to political killings.

UN Special Rapporteur on Extra Judicial Killings, Summary or Arbitrary Executions Prof. Philip Alston, who just finished his 10-day visit to investigate cases of extra-judicial killings said in his initial report provided to the press (see Alston Report) the reported number of extra judicial killings in the country is distressing.

Alston urged President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) to convince the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to acknowledge the fact and sincerely investigate the cases. He added that the AFP “remains in almost total denial” of the need to respond to the significant number of killings attributed to them.

Kinaud pointed out that it was the government which invited Alston to investigate the escalating extra judicial killings in the country after the Task Force Usig and the Melo Commission have failed miserably.

“If the government is truly serious in its efforts to end extra judicial killings, it should work on Alston’s recommendations instead of discrediting it,” Kinaud said.

Cordillera People’s Alliance (CPA) Chairperson Beverly Longid commended Alston’s report. “Alston recognized what the government refused to recognize, that there are extra judicial killings and that the military is involved,” she told the media.

Longid also criticized the AFP and national Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales for assailing Alston saying he was brainwashed by the progressive organizations.

“Alston spent more than half of the time with government agencies and officials and his itinerary was managed by Gonzales himself. In fact, he only spent two days listening to the survivors of victims of extra judicial killings and witnesses,” she said.

Alston met with survivors of extra-judicial killings on February 17 and was in Davao City on February 19. # Kim Quitasol for NORDIS