Cash rewards won’t end political killings, CHR chief tells Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo should focus on improving the justice system if she really wants to wipe out her legacy of political violence in the Philippines, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chief said Thursday. CHR Chair Leila de Lima issued the statement in reaction to President Arroyo’s plan of putting up a P25- million fund to reward informants who could help solve political killings and assassination attempts. To help build the fund, the President called on lawmakers to contribute P250,000 each from their pork barrel. De Lima said human rights witnesses are motivated more by justice than money. She said witnesses don’t cooperate and give information because of fear of retaliation, distrust and the slow justice system. She said the P25 million would be used more properly if it were to be diverted to the improvement of the country’s law enforcement, judicial system, and witness protection program. “The best thing the government can do is (improve) its policy and really enjoin the police and the Department of Justice to resolve and prosecute cases. The funds can also apply to operations and to supplement more funds for prosecutors, hiring of additional lawyers and paralegals," she said. De Lima said she is “cold to ideas of financial incentives when it comes to addressing human rights violations. I must stress that human rights cases are different from corruption cases or ordinary crimes." - With Sophia M. Dedace, GMANews.TV