Yet Another International Note On The Killings Happening In Our Midst
Written by Major Tom
Filed under: Philippine Politics
March 26, 2007
While military authorities have found yet another mass grave site in Leyte, a group of lawyers and human rights activists based in Hague issued a verdict against the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the unsolved killings of militants in our midst, making her responsible for them in a huge way .This development happening just about a week after United States lawmakers started a formal inquiry into such circumstance.
The Permanent People’s Tribunal ( founded on 1979 in Italy ) has found President Arroyo—together with U.S. President George W. Bush—-to have “colluded with each other in implementing the US’ so-called ‘war on terror’ in Southeast Asia.”, and more specifically for:
• Gross and systematic violations of civil and political rights: extrajudicial killings, abduction and disappearances, massacre, torture.
• Gross and systematic violation of economic, social and cultural rights.
• Gross and systematic violations of the rights to national self-determination and liberation. Now it can be told that this domestic issue on political killings has finally gained heavy international shade, as repeatedly over and over again, governments and international forums have issued their revulsion towards these mysterious and gruesome killings in the countryside.
Of course, the Arroyo administration would for certain disparage these most recent pronouncements on this issue and may even vilify it, as one administration aligned lawmaker have already done, accusing the Hague-based Permanent People’s Tribunal to be having a “biased nature”, citing the role of Senator Jamby Madrigal as testifier in the said forum.
Patently—like I have said in previous posts on this issue—these killings (or the circumstances behind it) had already gone towards haywire level that those concerned—like our lawmakers or our judges, or even the civil society—ought to intercede, or at least make a howl about it. But nothing like that happened and it took the inquisitions of foreign governments and international organizations for it to be put to the fore and be presented to the general public’s awareness. I wonder if President Arroyo is ever concerned right now that there’d be a day coming, probably after her years in Malacañang, that she’d be more well-remembered for this malevolent issue, these so-called political killings, than for whatever gain she had in her presidential tour of duty, not only here in our territory, but as well as across the continents, even if she would have nothing to do with it or have tolerated it.
While it can be told that this particular forum, the Permanent People’s Tribunal is one that had not yet gained enough international credence and reputation (despite being peopled by law experts and ardent rights activists from around the world) and therefore its verdict couldn’t be of much weight, still the Arroyo administration should take this as one final hint, that these killings has got to stop, before it get far too worse; if it is not already.
Do they ever listen? Even to families or those affected? It’s a shame and sad that it would take international tribunals to slap reality in our face. Are we as a people numb to these happenings around us because most of them are silenced or remain unsolved?
Comment by ipanema — March 26, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
To Ipanema: i didn’t noticed that initially, bout the local scene seemed to be apathetic to this issue,which to me could be a screaming issue by itself..
Comment by Major Tom — March 26, 2007 @ 5:13 pm
The problem in the Philippines, is unless a particular violation of “rights” happens to you, you seem to care less if only affect the others. And it takes the others, even the non-binding Permanent People Tribunal to take notice. But the others, including the U.S. Senate and the upcoming report by the U.N. Rapporter regarding the abuse and violations of Human Rights will eventually wake the nation and realize that their rights can not be bargained for the interest of the few even for their own.
Comment by vic — March 26, 2007 @ 9:20 pm
To vic: that seems to be the prevailing mindset here vic, maybe that’s the result of an underdeveloped general pysche of our people, where primary of their concerns is how to fill the hungry stomach and never the concerns of the so called “others”, maybe just as yet. In an econopmically struggling nation like ours, priorities are not as ideal as in other much progressive nation.
Comment by Major Tom — March 26, 2007 @ 9:44 pm
sikat na naman ang pinas. sana maresolba na ang issue or at least may mailagay na magandang panukalang batas at maipatupad para kanitong kaharasan sa ating bansa.
Comment by iskoo — March 26, 2007 @ 11:37 pm
To iskoo: Sikat na nga pare at yan ang major concern ko; you know it could affect our nation like economically and politically, like in tourism aspect and capital investment and as well as slow inflow of economic aids which at this time we still need being a struggling country. Our leadership should well be wise to resolve this problem as soon as possible.
Comment by Major Tom — March 27, 2007 @ 10:11 am
A couple of photojournalists I had spoken to feel this era is far more suppressive than that of martial law under Marcos.
Comment by eric — March 27, 2007 @ 6:04 pm
If not for the absence of six-by-six trucks roaming the streets from morning till night, then it would certainly be true. Even I feel similarly about the strong hand of the government in meddling into the process of speech and expression as done thru media; it’s very palpable and not easily denied.
Comment by Major Tom — March 27, 2007 @ 6:32 pm
Tsk, tsk… this is becoming a real concern now. We are getting back to the fascist days of the Marcos regime. Looks like the military is either getting involved or shutting its eyes blind to its favored politicians.
Comment by bw — March 27, 2007 @ 7:24 pm
The problem with that tribunal is that they were listening mostly to the testimonies of the wrong people. Jamby Madrigal for instance, didn’t her family profited during Marcos’ time? Weren’t they die-hard Marcos supporters then? While one cannot deny that there are extra-judicial killings on the part of the government, who’s investigating the killings done by the CPP-NPA? it’s hypocrisy I tell you…
Comment by snglguy — March 27, 2007 @ 9:11 pm
To BW: That’s what I’ve noticed ever since I started giving attention to this issue. It’s quite unbelievable that despite the years we have gone away from the Martial Law years, things like these still do happen; I am sure we ain’t as backward a country to be able to tolerate such grievous instances.
To sngl: That’s really one weakness of the said hague Forum, like having Sen. Madrigal as a witness, which we know her to be leaning heavily against the administration even in the past and on issues aside from this. If witnesses were more neutral and without any stain of bias or inclination, then the findings would have found more credence.
Comment by Major Tom — March 28, 2007 @ 12:50 am
a kangaroo court, that is!
I have a feeling it’s not malacanang involved in those killings, unlike the PPT, but what’s appaling is the inutile hands of justice unable to catch up with the perpetrators
Comment by tutubi — March 28, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
its very depressing to know that the people running the government could tolerate (or order) such an abuse to humanity. i think their conscience aren’t bothering them at all. power could really turn someone into monster!!
Comment by curacha — March 28, 2007 @ 3:28 pm
As a guest in your country I can’t say much on the record but I think we should STRONGLY condemn those killings. It doesn’t really matters who is behind it (the government or the CCP-NPA). It has to stop.
Comment by Sidney — March 28, 2007 @ 8:20 pm
At this point, it would be improper to absolutely put direct responsibility on any entity–like Malacañan for example–those unsolved murders; wanting any formal investigation and judicial promouncement on such—the doctrine of beyind reasonable doubt still occurs. However, in light of the so-called parental duty of the State on its population, the present government would might as well be obligated to receive accountability for this occurences and should be pressed to resolve such. Toleration could at times mean direct responsibility.
Comment by Major Tom — March 28, 2007 @ 11:37 pm