December 7, 2009
LEGAZPI CITY – Human rights group KARAPATAN-Bikol expressed dissent over the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao on Monday, calling on the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to observe the human rights situation in the Bicol region.
“Just like what they did in Maguinadano, we are asking the CHR main office to send their commissioners to come and see the horrendous human rights situation in the region because we now have the most number of victims of extra-judicial killings in the country,” said John Conception, spokesperson of KARAPATAN-Bikol.
In a statement, Conception added that they hope the CHR can help stop the military rampage in Bicol, so Bicolanos can fully exercise their rights not just in the elections but through their lives and prevent the Palace from declaring martial rule in Bicol or the whole country.
“What is happening now in Bicol is all part of Oplan Bantay Laya 2 and is highly systematized to prevent the further growth of militant organizations and to cripple the structure of militant party-list groups in the coming elections,” he said.
“The present state in Maguindanao is part of the plan to further extend Gloria’s hold on power,” added the human rights defender during the press conference, Monday.
Conception said it would definitely cause more harm than good. This is more likely a way of Malacañang to gauge the reaction of the Filipino people and prelude of worse things to come,” ended Conception.
There are at least 198 victims of political killings in the region including the slain peasant leader Rodrigo de Torres , BAYAN Muna coordinator in Del Gallego town, Camarines Sur, as the last victim. Johana Vi Gasga/Inquirer Southern Luzon
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