From January 21, 2001 to March 31, 2009, there are a total of 1, 013 victims of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines according to KARAPATAN (Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights) Monitor from January to March 2009. This is no secret even to the international community. If you will read Wikipedia's article about extrajudicial, you will find the same data and information.
According to the same website, the meaning of extrajudicial killings is:
Extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances in the Philippines refer to the illegal liquidations, unlawful or felonious killings and forced disappearances in the Philippines. These are forms of extrajudicial punishment, and include – extrajudicial executions, summary executions, arbitrary arrest and detentions, and failed prosecutions due to political activities of leading political, trades union, dissident and/or social figures, left-wing political parties, non-governmental organizations, political journalists, outspoken clergy, anti-mining activists, agricultural reform activists, members of legal political parties or organizations that the military claims are allied with the communist movement or suspected supporters of the NPA and its political wing, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) by either the state government, state authorities like the armed forces and police (as in Liberia under Charles G. Taylor), or by criminal outfits such as the Italian Mafia.
Same perpetrator as well: the Philippine's own government, headed by the President herself, Gloria-Macapagal-Arroyo, and her agents such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) - of course backed and funded by the imperialist United States government. These has been investigated and proven by local non-governmental human rights organization KARAPATAN. The said organization's reports were further investigated and agreed upon by the international community through the following:
- UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Philip Alston
- 3 FIDH experts, Mr. Nabeel Rajab (Bahrain), Mr. Mouloud Boumghar (France) and Mr. Frédéric Ceuppens (Belgium), on August 13 to 23, 2007
Victims range from small children, to early teens, adults and even elderly. Children, women and church people even the media, none was spared as long as you are tagged and alleged as members of left-wing organizations opposing the government. Allegations again include being members, supporters and sympathizers of the New People's Army (NPA) and its its political wing, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). The victims were also found out to be listed on various Orders of Battle being recovered from state agents such as the military or on crime scenes.
KARAPATAN has aired its fears that this killings might increase with the advent of the deadline of Oplan Bantay Laya 2 (OBL 2).
That is why, a very timely release of a new movie by Joel C. Lamangan will surely increase the people's awareness of these inhumane killings of activists:
You can also sign in our online petition that is being automatically sent to the following:
- Department of Justice of the Philippines
- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
- UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
- Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines
- Pope Benedict XVI
Let us work together to prevent more blood spilled with impunity in our country to stop once and for all.
Justice for all the victims of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines!!!
End Oplan Bantay Laya 2!!!
Uphold our constitutional and democratic rights!!!
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