Tuesday, October 03, 2006 Leave Melo probe body alone, gov't urges critics
* Spain names head of human rights team going to RP
PRESIDENTIAL chief of staff Michael Defensor on Monday said the Melo Commission must be allowed to continue its work as the body aims to solve the case of political killings and prevent its recurrence in the future.
Defensor said the commission must also review existing laws and come up with measures to strengthen them to be able to ensure that these cases would end.
He said they should be given a chance to do their work instead of being continuously criticized.
This developed as Spanish State Foreign Minister Leon Bernardo announced that they have already chosen a Spanish diplomat to lead a team of human rights monitoring team to the Philippines.
Jesus Dureza, presidential adviser on the peace process, said Bernardo in their meeting in Madrid, Spain had described the diplomat as "seasoned". Dureza is in Madrid for a meeting of international negotiators.
He had no other details as the Spanish Government continues to search for the other members of the monitoring team that they would send to the Philippines in response to the invitation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during her Spain visit last June.
Aside from Spain, Arroyo had also invited Finland, Belgium and the European Union to assist in the monitoring and investigations of extrajudicial killings in addition to the investigations conducted by the Melo Commission.
Defensor, meanwhile, defended retired Major General Jovito Palparan whom some militants are dragging into the extrajudicial killings, saying he has done a good job in the insurgency campaign.
He added that the plan to appoint Palparan to a government office aims to make use of his experience and at the same time protect him from threats against his life. The New People's Army (NPA) had branded Palparan as a "dead man walking".
Defensor said some sectors maybe opposed to his appointment but "we also have to show our soldiers that if you are doing your job and you are campaigning hard against insurgency, you shouldn't be punished but we should also protect you."
He also said he did not make a mistake when he announced that Palparan was being considered for another post in government. He said Palparan's position would be discussed when he returns from vacation.
Defensor earlier announced that Palparan would be named as national security council deputy for insurgency, which was later given to retired Major General Pedro Cabuay, only to change it saying that nothing is final and he could be given a position with the Department of National Defense or under Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita's anti insurgency task force.
He denied that Ermita gagged him after making another controversial statement regarding the supposed senatorial list being prepared by the administration.
Defensor earlier announced that some Cabinet men are being considered for the senatorial slate including Ermita, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes. (JMR/Sunnex)
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