Extrajudicial slays still occurring – study

MANILA, Philippines — Extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances are still going on in different parts of the country, according to a human rights report released Thursday.

In press conference, human rights lawyer Al Parreno released the findings of a study analyzing incidences of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and journalists killings which have taken place over the last decade (from 2001 to 2011).

Parreno said the study, which was conducted with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Asia Foundation, showed that from 2001 to August 21, 2011, there were 364 incidents of extrajudicial killings, 132 enforced disappearances and 51 journalists slaying.

“The study exhaustively gathered incident reports of killing and disappearances, interviewed families of victims, coordinated with civil society, and examined the state’s criminal justice system. The study also looked into the possible involvement of state forces and the root causes behind such involvement,” the report said.

Parreno said most of the incidents happened in Regions III, V and VIII. The study also pointed out that most of the killings and disappearances occurred during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

He added that since President Benigno Aquino III took over in July 1, 2010, 27 extrajudicial killings, four enforced disappearances and six journalist killings have taken place.

Parreno, a litigator with special skills in electronic evidence gathering and data gathering, said the cumulative violations average at around 57 cumulative violations per year during the time of Mrs. Arroyo while an average of 37 probable violations occurred in President Aquino’s first year in office.

He said the killings during Aquino’s first year in office were reportedly concentrated in Compostela Valley and has been linked to issues concerning mining. –FRANCIS T. WAKEFIELD, Manila Bulletin