- Hustisya Jul 27 03:48PM -0700
News Release
28 July 2014
Reference: Cristina Guevarra, secretary general, Hustisya +63949-1772928
Rights victims on BS Aquino’s 5th SONA “We have seized to believe justice will be served under the Pork Barrel King”
“We have seized to believe justice will be served to victims of human rights violations under the Pork Barrel King. If Pres. Aquino himself
arrogantly abuses his power to defend the DAP while intimidating protests through barricades and heavy police and military deployment, how do we expect a haciendero president will make justice attainable even to victims of rights violations?” said Cristina Guevarra, Hustisya secretary general as they joined in protests on the occasion of Pres. BS Aquino’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Joining in the Monday’s protests are families of victims of extrajudicial killings, victims of torture and relatives of political prisoners under BS Aquino. Hustisya regional and provincial chapters also joined SONA protests in different cities and provinces nationwide.
“We join the people’s outrage against DAP, which was used to embezzle more funds in the hands of the president, making it his own pork barrel. We share the call to hold the Aquino government accountable in the DAP, in as much as we demand accountability and justice for the people whose rights were robbed and denied by this administration,” said Guevarra.
Human rights groups are taking into account some reports that DAP funds were funnelled into the military’s counter-insurgency program. In earlier statements, Karapatan said the DAP was used directly and indirectly to sow terror among the people through the AFP and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) through projects channelled to paramilitary groups engaged in ‘peace negotiations’ with the government.
According to Guevarra, they are outraged that extrajudicial killings continue a week into Pres. Aquino’s fifth SONA. “Amid the DAP controversy, terror and human rights violations continue,” said Guevarra.
Karapatan Southern Mindanao reported that Gregorio Galacio, 38 years old, was killed on July 19 in Compostela Valley, Mindanao. A member of Hustisya, Galacio was the father of Grecil Buya, the nine-year-old girl killed by elements of the 28th Infantry Batallion of the Philippine Army in March 2007. Grecil was falsely tagged by the AFP as an “NPA child warrior”, which they would later retract. None has been punished in the killing of Grecil.
“Since Pres. Aquino delivered his first SONA, victims of rights violations have increased in number. His inaction and implementation of Oplan Bayanihan has in effect tolerated human rights violations and committed the same atrocities against the people,” said Guevarra.
Karapatan has documented 204 victims of extrajudicial killings under the Aquino government.
Oplan Bayanihan is the counter-insurgency campaign of the Aquino government, which is said to focus on peace and development. Rights groups, however, have called for the abolition of Oplan Bayanihan which, according to them, continues the same policy of quelling discontent and rights abuses.
“Even high-profile cases remain unsolved. The Reyes brothers who killed Palawan broadcaster Gerry Ortega are on the loose. So is Jovito Palparan, whose men abducted UP students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan. The Burgos family keeps searching for Jonas. Victims of the Ampatuan massacre continue to cry from their grave. What has happened since?” Guevarra asked.
The group said the four years of Pres. Aquino has been long enough.
“For a president who bragged about serving justice and holding perpetrators accountable, but failed to do so after four long years is unforgiveable. It is best for the victims and for the people if Pres. Aquino steps down,” said Guevarra. ###
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Hustisya National Office
2/F #1 Maaralin cor. Matatag Sts.
Central District, Diliman
Quezon City 1100 Philippines
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E-mail: hustisya.national@gmail.com
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