By Belarmino Dabalos Saguing
Ugnayan ng Manggagawang Migrante Tungo sa Pagunlad (UMANGAT)
Rome, Italy
Email bdsaguing@gmail.com
President Benigno Aquino has
failed to fulfill promises to hold security forces accountable for serious
rights abuses since taking office. During his inaugural speech on June 30,
2010, instructed the Justice Department to “begin the process of providing true
and complete justice for all.” In 2011, during his State of the Nation address,
the president reiterated this commitment. Concrete measures – rather than more
promises – are needed now.
The Aquino government has not
successfully prosecuted a single case of extrajudicial killing or enforced
disappearance, including those committed during his presidency. It’s not a
question of cover-up as much as it is mediocrity and incompetence in the flawed
criminal justice system.
Philippines’ human rights
record was scrutinized at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva
during its Universal Periodic Review. Several countries – including the United
States, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, and the
Holy See – voiced alarm at the continuing killings, enforced disappearances,
and torture, and invited Aquino
to initiate "comprehensive reforms" necessary to end impunity for
serious abuses.
As President Aquino himself
pointed out, the conviction of those implicated in abuses is the true test of
his commitment to his promise.And he failed dismally the test.
Three years of Aquino’s “matuwid
na daan” has not stopped the Human Rights Violation. More has been added,
instead.
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