Wider CHR probe on extra-judicial killings sought

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Loren Legarda on Monday commended the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) for looking into the cases of extra-judicial killings in Davao City but said the agency should expand its inquiry to other localities where similar incidents had taken place. In a press statement, Legarda said there is no justification for such killings because the government is committed by the Constitution to the rule of law. “Criminal suspects must be charged, tried and their culpability determined, to law, and not subjected to summary executions," she said, adding that there is also no justification for insurgent forces to resort to kidnappings, assassinations, and terrorism in pursuit of their political goals. “Even guerrillas must respect the rules of civil conflict and humanitarian conduct, according to international law," Legarda said. CHR chairwoman Leila de Lima and a Manila-based team arrived in Davao City Monday to start an investigation into some 800 extra-legal killings in the area. The team will find out why the killings have continued since 1998 but no witness is willing to come out to shed light on the incidents. Local police officials are expected to attend the hearings, including Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and representatives from the National Police Commission, according to De Lima. The CHR has also asked prosecutors and members of the judiciary, non-government organizations, civil society, academe, church, professional, and local media organizations to attend the hearing. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV