Human Rights

In Paquibato, a `Sham’ Public Hearing on Atrocities

What was billed as the City Council’s public hearing to get Paquibato residents to talk about the atrocities in the district turned into a display of official indifference and, according to witnesses and victims, arrogance.

Col. Mirar, Councilor Militar and Col. del Rosario

By Cheryll D. Fiel
davaotoday.com

Photos by Barry Ohaylan

PAQUIBATO, Davao City ? Lenny Nacua wanted officials to hear what happened to her son, and perhaps get some assurance that justice wouldbe done.

So on Wednesday, April 5, Nacua mustered the courage to face the officials onstage ? city councilors, police and military officials, Lumad leaders ? during the City Council’s public hearing here on the killings and violence in Paquibato District allegedly perpetrated by a group of bandits.
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Security Guards To Be Trained as Child Protectors

DAVAO CITY — Private security guards, especially those assigned to secure business establishments, will soon carry the additional task as child protectors after undergoing a training on handling children in conflict with law.

The Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of? Children (RSCWC) in Southern Mindanao is? bringing security agencies into its fold as child advocates and protectors, in a memorandum of agreement signed on Wednesday.

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The Real Stories in Camp Bagong Diwa

The families and the rest of the Muslim people will fight for justice for the slain innocent detainees. They suffered long enough in prison cell for crimes they did not commit.

COTABATO CITY — Families and friends of the Muslim detainees of Camp Bagong Diwa, as well as the officers and members of Suara Bangsamoro, were so elated when news came out that the Commission on Human Rights has finally released its verdict about the reported summary execution of some Muslim detainees who did not participate in the jailbreak by the Abu Sayyaf Group on March 15, 2006 at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig.

This is only the first step for the families of the victims of summary execution. Criminal cases should be immediately filed against former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Angelo Reyes and Philippine National Police (PNP) director Arturo Lomibao.

With the CHR report in the hands of the DOJ, the burden of determining probable cause is with Secretary Raul Gonzales. However, with the way he is way handling the Subic rape case, Lomibao and Reyes might go scot-free. Judging by the initial reaction of Secretary Gonzales, he will surely squeeze the CHR and the families for the burden of proof.

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City Council Demands Due Process for ?Batasan 5,? Beltran

By Cheryll D. Fiel
davaotoday.com

DAVAO CITY ? The City Council approved on Tuesday a resolution supporting the plea by Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla to Malaca?ang requesting due process for the so-called ?Batasan 5.?

Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, the proponent of the resolution, said it was just right for Capalla to do what he did. ?We would always ask for due process to take its own course, regardless of who the subjects are,? Dayanghirang said.

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