Arroyo commends AFP’s efforts to address human rights issue

By Ronron
December 21, 2007

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is delighted with the efforts made by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to address the human rights issue.

In her speech at the celebration Friday of the 72nd anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Arroyo noted that there have been “a very, very drastic reduction” of political killings this year compared to previous years.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Task Force USIG has reported that there are only five cases of political killings this year, which is included in its total list of 114 cases since 2001.

And none of these cases have implicated military or police personnel as suspects, the task force said.

“I am glad that you are also focusing on reforms with regard to human rights issue. We have followed the roadmap laid out by our Melo Commission. We have been meeting with success in the fight to put an end to the legacy of political violence in the Philippines,” Arroyo said.

“I congratulate the AFP for creating the AFP Human Rights Office. This office has not only increased the awareness of our soldiers on human rights and instructional humanitarian law. It has provided a responsive venue where the public-at-large can lodge their human rights concerns to the AFP,” she added.

The AFP has admitted that there are a few of its personnel who are involved in killings of political activists and media personalities but maintained that they are just a minority in the list.

These personnel also are already being investigated both by the military establishment and the civilian courts as well./DMS