OPAPP activates quick reaction team for HR victims

Jul. 14, 2007

davao city — A Quick Reaction Team has been activated as one of the major components of the human rights aspect of the peace process.

This was learned Friday from Secretary Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAPP) during the launching of Kapayapaan, Atin To!, a 30-minute live Television program on NBN at the Seagull Beach Resort , Matina Aplaya in Davao City .

Hosted by Secretary Dureza himself, the program is OPAPPs media offering to keep the people posted on the different issues of the peace process which has taken into focus another advocacy, the human rights.

Going ahead with the rigors of human rights advocacy like investigation and prosecution, the Quick Reaction Team is mainly established to take care of the basic needs of the families of the victims of human rights violations like the scholarship program of children.

Dureza said that this was part of the immediate reaction of his office on the request of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for him to take strong cognizance on the issue of human rights.

A former Davao media personality himself, Dureza said the greater part of the advocacy is the work with media, hence the launching of the TV program which will have its maiden edition from 7:30-8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 with the comprehensive peace process as the featured discussions, an issue being expected to be highlighted in the Presidents SONA on July 23.

The Quick Reaction Team will be a coordinative effort among inter-related agencies of government like the Department of Social Services and Development including a number of non-government organizations.

“We are embarking on a more meaningful work of human rights advocacy by giving immediate assistance to families of human rights victims,” Dureza said. (PIA XI/Romy Sabaldan)

comments powered by Disqus