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Thursday, August 24, 2006
Melo commission lacks credibility: militant group
THE Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Southern Mindanao rejected the Malacañang-backed commission tasked to investigate the killings of activists and media practitioners.
In a statement, Bayan acting secretary general Ariel Casilao said the "inclusion of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Department of Justice (DOJ) representatives damaged the supposed credibility, independence and impartiality of the probe body."
"How can the people especially the relatives of the victims expect an impartial, credible and independent investigation with government agencies such as the NBI and DOJ who have a record of covering up and defending Mrs. Arroyo of her Marcosian policies?" Casilao asked.
Casilao added that the other three appointees have direct and indirect association with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her current policies and trust such as Charter change, which compromises their being impartial and independent with the Arroyo regime.
On Monday, Arroyo appointed former Supreme Court Justice Jose Melo, Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño, Director Nestor Mantaring of the NBI, Bishop Camilo Gregorio and University of the Philippines regent Nelia Gonzales as members of the commission tasked to investigate the spate of political extrajudicial killings.
Bayan reiterated its previous position that to have a really credible, independent and impartial body, the members should not be under the payroll of Malacañang.
The membership of the investigating body should include the civilians with good track record of defending human rights, and has no direct or indirect political association with Arroyo.
"It would also be appropriate for Mrs. Arroyo to invite the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions to conduct his own investigations into political killings in the Philippines since the issue of political killings has alarmed the international community," Casilao said.
President Arroyo signed an order creating "A Commission to Conduct an Independent Probe of the Killings of Media Practitioners and Militant Activists." (BOT)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (August 24, 2006 issue)
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