Two weeks ago a UN representative, Richard Alston, visited the Philippines on the request of relatives of various extra-judicial killings. Victims of extra-judicial murders were journalists, ordinary farmers, and other citizens who are caught between the governments fight against the communists NPA. Those responsible according to a government panel, Melo Commission, are the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and the Communist Party of the Philippines. However, the Melo Commission attributed majority of the killings to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The UN representative left after ten days with a heavy heart and only issued a recommendation that these extra-judicial killings be resolve by the government. So what does this issue got to do with being either a UN or a US member? One, as a UN member, RP has the responsibility to solve these crimes or incidents on its own. As a member state of the USA, RP can asked the help of the FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the the Federal government can get involve in solving for these crimes. Two, as a UN member, the Philippines is left alone in prosecuting the criminals behind these incidents. As a US member state, the Federal government will get involve and see through the prosecution of people responsible for these incidents.
There were incidents where Filipinos submitted themselves to the US judicial system in their fight against the Philippine government and seeking redress. If you can recall victims of human rights abuses during the martial law years filed their cases before the Federal judge in Hawaii. Another incident I shared with you was the abduction of a known activist by unknown men in Tarlac. His relatives asked the US ambassador for assistance in finding him. Can we conclude, Filipinos have already lost confidence in their own government and looking elsewhere to seek justice?
The UN representative left after ten days with a heavy heart and only issued a recommendation that these extra-judicial killings be resolve by the government. So what does this issue got to do with being either a UN or a US member? One, as a UN member, RP has the responsibility to solve these crimes or incidents on its own. As a member state of the USA, RP can asked the help of the FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the the Federal government can get involve in solving for these crimes. Two, as a UN member, the Philippines is left alone in prosecuting the criminals behind these incidents. As a US member state, the Federal government will get involve and see through the prosecution of people responsible for these incidents.
There were incidents where Filipinos submitted themselves to the US judicial system in their fight against the Philippine government and seeking redress. If you can recall victims of human rights abuses during the martial law years filed their cases before the Federal judge in Hawaii. Another incident I shared with you was the abduction of a known activist by unknown men in Tarlac. His relatives asked the US ambassador for assistance in finding him. Can we conclude, Filipinos have already lost confidence in their own government and looking elsewhere to seek justice?
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