In this file photo taken on April 7, 2017, members of different church groups lit candles to call for justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte along Roxas Avenue, Davao City. According to reports by human rights group Karapatan, they recorded 49 cases of politically motivated summary executions in Davao region since Duterte came into power. (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Government of the Republic of the Philippines- Monitoring Committee (GRP-MC) launched its pilot monitoring station for the compliance of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Law here on Friday, September 29.
The local monitoring station is the new initiative of the GRP-MC aimed to “provide better and more access” for the people in terms of monitoring system of the CARHRIHL.
CARHRIHL was signed on March 16, 1998 by and between the GRP and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, a framework upholding, protecting and promoting the principles of human rights and the principles of international humanitarian law.
Lawyer Antonio B. Arellano, supervising panel of GRP-MC said they have decided to create a mechanism that shall go down to the community level to further strengthen the monitoring of the said agreement.
“The whole idea is to give more access,” Arellano said during the launch held at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.
The CARHRIHL-Compliance Mindanao pilot station based in the Regional Prosecution Office here will be headed by Deputy Regional Prosecutor Barbara Mae P. Flores. She will be assisted by Mindanao Coordinator Susannah Talingting.
Arellano said the monitoring team here will receive any complaints of non-compliance to the CARHRIHL and the report shall be shared to the NDFP-MC for information, substantiation and possible legal action.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Jesus Dureza said the launching of CARHRIHL local monitoring station is an ‘implementation mechanism’ of what was signed between the two parties 19 years ago.
This, Dureza added that he is hopeful that it will pave way for a better atmosphere between the GRP and NDFP that will possibly result to the resumption of peace talks.
“It is something very positive that if the situation turns out well, it might provide an enabling environment,” Dureza said.
The GRP-MC is eyeing to establish next year nine other local monitoring stations around the country identified as key conflict-affected areas. (davaotoday.com)
