Party-list blasts human rights probe team

GABRIELA Women’s Party Representative Emmi de Jesus questioned the “super body” that will investigate human rights violations this year.

The "super body" includes the Defense secretary, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff, and director general of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

De Jesus said: “How can this body have the credibility to investigate cases of human rights violations when AFP and PNP personnel are included in those that will be investigated? How can victims be assured that the killings will be solved fairly?"

“What the human rights victims need now is the Aquino government’s genuine determination to prevent further human rights violations. This can only be achieved when President Aquino abandons Oplan Bayanihan which has spawned all these violations,” he added.

The Oplan Bayanihan of the PNP is a program that focuses on eliminating the so–called "enemies" of the state.

However, militants claimed policemen and AFP members are torturing and arresting innocent farmers and not members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

“It is another maneuver of government to muddle the issue. The rights violations committed by state forces continue under Aquino and not one perpetrator has been put behind bars. The victims and their families deserve no less than swift justice,” De Jesus added.

Baguio City and Benguet militant groups had been airing their side on their stand against the militarization of communities in the Cordillera. They said the act of the state is a form of human rights violation because it hinders the citizen to live freely.

They earlier revealed various human rights violations the AFP and the PNP members did on the past years. Among these are rapes, torturing innocent people, harassment, and trespassing.