KIKO URGES SWIFT GOV'T ACTION ON UN FINAL REPORT ON EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS, PRESSES PGMA TO PUNISH GUILTY
"Parusahan ang dapat parusahan!"

In the wake of a United Nations report belying the position of Philippine officials that the spate of extrajudicial killings in the country under the current administration was due to communist purges, Majority Leader and Independent Senator Kiko Pangilinan pressed the government to "punish those responsible for the criminal and dastardly acts against human rights and press freedom."

"Makulong ang dapat makulong, masenstensyahan ang dapat masentensyahan at parusahan ang dapat parusahan. 'Yan lamang ang bukod-tanging batayan na magsasabing seryoso ang gobyernong ito na harapin ang usapin ng extrajudicial killings," said Kiko.

In his final report, UN Human Rights Special Rapporteur Philip Alston blamed the government, particularly the Armed Forces of the Philippines, for the killing of activists and for "systematically hunting down" journalists and leaders of organizations critical of the government and the military.

Like Alston, Kiko believes that a culture of impunity has made the killings possible, and that the number of victims will continue to grow unless criminals are prosecuted and punished swiftly.

"Huwag na tayong magpaligoy-ligoy. Ang mga salita, ang mga pagbuo ng mga commission, ang pagbuo ng task force ay walang saysay lahat kung hindi mauuwi ang mga ito sa pagpaparusa sa mga nasa likod ng mga pagpaslang na ito Kung walang mapaparusahan sa laganap na pagpatay, walang saysay ang pamamahala at pamumuno ng gobyernong ito," he said.

"The courts, on the other hand, must swiftly dispose of the cases and ensure that the guilty are punished. Only with a higher conviction rate can we restore fear in the hearts of would be criminals and regain a greater respect for the rule of law," Kiko further explained.

According to news reports, the number of activists and journalists killed since President Gloria Arroyo assumed power in 2001 has already reached 800. The government has consistently denied the claims of human rights groups that it is tolerating the killings.

The chilling effect created by these unabated assaults on activists and journalists is not just an attack on the people's right to free speech but is also a blow on our rule of law and democracy. The authorities and the entire justice system need to step up their efforts fast to curb this unacceptable state of human rights in the country," Kiko ended.