Make human rights a priority, Aquino tells AFP top brass

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on Monday told the top brass of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to prioritize human rights after a string of extrajudicial killings occurred during his first week in office. In a press briefing after the first AFP command conference of his administration, Aquino said he told military leaders that human rights — including those of their fellow law enforcers —should always be observed. "May emphasis tayo dun sa human rights, and sinabi natin human rights apply to all rather than to just a few," Aquino said. (We are emphasizing human rights and we said human rights apply to all rather than a few.) Militants accused Aquino's predecessor, former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, of tolerating extrajudicial killings during her term despite having formed task forces to probe such killings. They alleged that many of the killings of activists were perpetrated by the military. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda had earlier said Aquino was serious in his commitment to end extrajudicial killings in the country as Aquino's father, martyred senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., was himself a victim of human rights violations. Benigno Jr., also known as Ninoy, was gunned down on August 21, 1983 at the Manila International Airport, a facility which now bears his name, upon his return from exile during the Marcos administration. Aquino said he has already asked Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Dir. Gen. Jesus Verzosa for an update on its investigations of killings of activists and media practitioners. He said the PNP has indicated that many extrajudicial killings were caused by local political conflicts. Extrajudicial killings were not a policy of his administration. "Sa kabuuan hindi na natin masasabi na pang-aabuso dahil sa isang polisiya ng estado (In general we cannot say that these abuses are the policy of the state)," he said. "Marami ho dito talagang personalang away na eh (Many of these are personal fights)," Aquino said, but added that his administration remains committed to solve past extrajudicial killings. So far, three activists have been killed under the Aquino administration. These are Bayan Muna Aklan coordinator Fernando Baldomero, Anakpawis leader Pascual Guevarra, and public school teacher and Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) members Mark Francisco. Meanwhile, at least two provincial broadcasters have been attacked in Aquino's first week in office. Last July 3, Kalinga radioman Jose Daguio was shot to death. Radio reporter Miguel Belen was shot in Camarines Sur over the weekend, but survived. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has promised to create a "superbody" that will investigate journalist killings in the country. However, Aquino's ally Senator Francis Escudero said the new group was unnecessary, as the government already has several investigating bodies. - Jam L. Sisante, RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV