Rights Groups Urge Aquino to Prosecute Arroyo, Human Rights Violators

Published on June 28, 2010

By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com

Relatives of victims of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances and human rights advocates called on incoming President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to prosecute President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for human rights abuses.

“Aquino should lead the filing of cases against Arroyo and identified perpetrators,” Marie Hilao-Enriquez, Karapatan chairperson, said in a press conference June 29.

Based on Karapatan records, there were 1,206 victims of extrajudicial killings, 205 victims of enforced disappearance, hundreds illegally arrested and detained and more than a thousand victims of torture during the nine-year administration of Arroyo.

Enriquez called on Aquino to take a different path from that of her mother Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco Aquino who, Enriquez said, never initiated the prosecution of the crimes committed by the Marcoses during martial law. “It took the victims themselves to file a case against the Marcoses,” Enriquez, who was also a political prisoner during martial law, said.

The assassination of Cory’s husband and Noynoy’s father Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was believed to be masterminded by then President Ferdinand Marcos.

“The [Aquino] government must initiate prosecution proceedings against Arroyo…[otherwise] impunity will continue. Impunity is the absence of accountability of government officials and state security forces for all the crimes they committed,” the human rights leader added.

Enriquez added that impunity would not end if no administration would take the cudgels for the victims and say no to human rights abuses. “We hope that Aquino will use the powers and resources of the state to punish the perpetrators.”

If Aquino would not initiate charges against Arroyo, Enriquez said Karapatan is ready to file appropriate charges against the outgoing president.

Human rights defenders present their demands to the incoming Aquino administration in a press conference June 29. (Photo by Raymund Villanueva / bulatlat.com)

On June 30, 2010, as soon as Arroyo exits as the President of this Republic, Karapatan said it is ready with the lawsuits that they will file against her in Philippine courts.

Enriquez said they will also push for the revival of several cases against Arroyo and the military, particularly the twin murder of Eddie Gumanoy and Eden Marcellana, and the enforced disappearances of Jonas Burgos, Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan and Manuel Merino.

Karapatan also welcomed the appointment of Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairwoman Leila de Lima as justice secretary. “As head of the DOJ [Department of Justice], she will have more powers to help the victims and to prosecute human rights violators,” Enriquez said.

In a webcast interview with Bulatlat and Kodao Productions, de Lima said the Commission on Human Rights is currently reviewing the cases of political prisoners and if she is appointed to the position of justice secretary, she would review all the cases filed against political activists.

No to Political Accommodation

Enriquez criticized Senator Edgardo Angara’s statement that going after Arroyo should not be the priority.

“The so-called reconciliation is actually political accommodation, which we don’t like. There is no forgiveness because no one asked for forgiveness. There was no admission of guilt. There is no closure,” Enriquez said, citing the Marcoses getting back to power. “Now, they act as if they did nothing wrong. This is alarming.”

Enriquez said the absence of punishment has also emboldened the military to commit more crimes. “They continue to bear the mentality that they can get away with anything they do,” she said.

Enriquez further said the people should not forget about what happened in the past. “They say we have to move on. Move on to where and what? We must not forget [their crimes.]”

Fr. Diony Cabillas, spokesperson of the Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Para sa Amnestiya (Selda), said the Aquino government must hold the Marcoses and Arroyo accountable for the absence of justice for all the victims of martial law.

Cabillas said Arroyo proved to be an obstacle in the attainment of justice for martial law victims. “The ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses which Selda and the victims persevered to take back had also been stolen by Arroyo,” Cabillas said, citing the fertilizer fund scam.

The P728-million fund was believed to be derived from the indemnification fund for martial law victims.

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2 Responses to “Rights Groups Urge Aquino to Prosecute Arroyo, Human Rights Violators”

travel_utravel Says:
June 29th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
it is about time that those who are guilty of these horriable crimes be brought to justice even if it mean indictment for the outgoing presiden and also her husband. the Phillipines must take action now while the poeple are ready to stand behind thier new president and let all the chips fall where they may. this will also send a single to so called war lords or any of those who can take a human life that they will pay for this.
maantonia bernardo Says:
June 30th, 2010 at 3:28 am
The out going president gloria macapagal-arroyo should be held accountable of human rights abuses during her administration – to put an end to the so-called impunity in the government. at this point in time the incoming president noynoy aguino should give priority to this and break the ice on impunity.