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Friday, September 29, 2006
Rights group hits lack of progress in probe on slays (3:25 p.m.)
MANILA -- A climate of fear and a lack of cooperation by military authorities are hampering the government's investigation into a string of politically motivated killings of left-wing activists, a New York-based human rights group said Friday.
A government task force, created by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to jail suspects in at least 10 among the dozens of killings, has made little visible progress as it nears it's the October 7 deadline to solve the cases, Human Rights Watch said.
"The government's special investigation into the killings must be effective. Otherwise, justice is in jeopardy in the Philippines," Sophie Richardson, the group's deputy Asia director, said in a statement.
"Too many people are getting away with murder," she said.
Left wing and human rights groups have pointed a finger at military operatives. Last week, former Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, who commanded the 7th Infantry Division in the northern Philippines, disputed the accusations, calling them communist propaganda.
Palparan, dubbed the "executioner" by critics, testified at an investigation commission headed by a retired Supreme Court justice.
Human Rights Watch said its research in the Philippines uncovered deep public distrust of the government's investigative effort, widespread fear among witnesses and victims' families, and a climate of fear in areas where the killings have occurred.
The local human rights group Karapatan says at least 752 people, including 319 left-wing activists, have been killed and about 180 others have disappeared in alleged state-sponsored abductions since 2001.
London-based Amnesty International says there have been 51 political killings during the first six months of this year, compared with 66 for all of 2005. (AP) |
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