By Macky Macaspac
 |
| Martial Law victims denounce the appointment of former police general as head of the compensation board. (Contributed Photo/Selda) |
Human rights group Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa
Detensiyon at Aresto (Selda) slammed the appointment of retired Philippine
National Police (PNP) Director Lina Castillo- Sarmiento by Pres. Benigno Aquino
to head the Human Rights Victims Claims Board.
Selda stated that the move is an insult inflicted upon the
victims by the government. “Sarmiento was part of the Philippine Constabulary
that implemented, along with the AFP, the worst of human rights violations
during the Marcos dictatorship. How can we accept that?” exclaimed Marie
Hilao-Enriquez, chairperson of Selda.
The board shall process the recognition and reparation of
martial victims after Republic
Act 10368 or Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of
2013, enacted last year. The law aims to compensate some 10,000 victims of
Marcos dictatorship.
Enriquez also said that despite a provision in the law
indicating that the President can accept nominations to the board from Selda,
not a single Selda member was appointed. “This is not the real sentiment of
martial law victims,” Enriquez said.
Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, main author of the law and
himself a martial law victim, said that under RA 10368, Sarmiento cannot assume
chairmanship of the claims board.
He explained that based on Based on Section 8, Chapter II of
RA 10368, an independent and quasi-judicial body to be known as the Human
Rights Victims’ Claims Board, composed of nine (9) members, who shall possess
the following qualifications: (b) Must have a deep and thorough
understanding and knowledge of human rights and involvement in efforts against
human rights violations committed during the regime of former
President Ferdinand E. Marcos; and (d) Must have a clear and adequate
understanding and commitment to human rights protection, promotion and
advocacy.
“With these requirements how can a police general become the
chair of the human rights body? How can the chair of a human rights board come
from an agency historically and currently used for rampant human rights
violations? As the former Director of the PNP Human Rights Affairs Office
(HRAO) Gen. Sarmiento used to deny these human rights violations and in fact
defended the PNP from charges of human rights violations,” Colmenares said.
Bayan Muna will file House Resolution to investigate
Sarmiento’s appointment.
Other appointed members of the claims board are Jose Luis
Martin Gascon, Byron Bocar, Aurora Parong, Galuasch Ballaho, Jacqueline Mejia,
Glenda Litong, Wilfred Asis and Erlinda Senturias.
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