Arroyo says RP gaining success against political violence

By Ronron
February 6, 2008

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Wednesday that
the country is already succeeding in its efforts to
end the problem of political violence.

In her speech at the celebration of the Philippine
National Police (PNP) 17th founding anniversary in
Camp Crame, Quezon City, Arroyo commended the police
agency for its efforts in addressing the problem of
human rights violations.

Incidentally, the theme of the PNP anniversary goes:
“Mamang Pulis: Tagapagtaguyod ng Karapatang Pantao
Tungo sa Kapanatagan ng Mamamayan (Mr. Cop: Advocate
of Human Rights for a Worry-less Citizenry).”

It can be recalled that when Arroyo installed PNP
chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. last October 1, 2007,
she asked the officer to leave a legacy on human
rights protection, being the first commander of the
PNP Task Force USIG she created in mid-2006.

On Tuesday, Razon said he has complied with the
President’s instruction, citing, among others, the
drafting of a Citizen’s Handbook on the Operational
Guidelines on Observance of Human Rights, and the
activation of Human Rights Desk in all police stations
all over the country.

The tie up with the Commission on Human Rights and
other human rights advocate groups was also
strengthened by the PNP, he said.

“We have been meeting with success in the fight to put
an end to the legacy of political violence in the
Philippines. And with the priority we have given in
that legacy, we will continue to bring perpetrators to
justice, jail criminals and exhort the nation to leave
behind its terrible legacy of political violence,”
Arroyo said yesterday.

“Thanks to your investigation and the building up of
evidence, and arresting perpetrators, political
killings were down 83 percent last year.
Congratulations,” she added.

But Arroyo said the efforts “must not rest until we
reach zero.”

“I praise the efforts of the Human Rights Office of
the PNP, the seminars and proposal of the PNP to
strengthen your regulations and tradition to protect
the rights of every citizen,” she said.

A plan of Razon to present yesterday to Arroyo a
Citizen’s Handbook on the Operational Procedures for
the Observance of Human Rights, meanwhile, did not
push through because Arroyo lacked time to pass by the
PNP Human Rights Affairs Office inside Camp Crame.

Sr. Supt. Lina Sarmiento, head of said office, said
they will take advantage of that by polishing the
handbook by passing it to some experts from the
civilian sector.

She said copies of that should be ready already this
week of next week.

The Arroyo government has been receiving a flak in the
past from various bodies, both local and
international, for alleged violation of human
rights./DMS