Press Release
February 16, 2007
 
SUARA Bangsamoro hails the coming of UN Rapporteur to Mindanao
 
The Moro group Suara Bangsamoro hails the coming of Prof. Philip Laston, the United Nation Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions in Davao City on February 18 to hear the testimonies of victims of political killings.
 
"Prof. Alston’s visit to the Philippines is a big boost to the morale of the victims of extrajudicial killings and their families," said Amirah Ali Lidasan, vice-chairperson of the Suara Bangsamoro Partylist Organization.
 
However, Suara Bangsamoro criticizes the government’s attitude towards Prof. Alston’s visit.
 
"The government’s refusal to give the UN Rapporteur the Melo Commission Report is already a sign that President Arroyo will continue to silence the truth about her administration’s record of human rights violations. No less than President Arroyo and her security advisers are afraid of the facts and conclusions presented at the government created Melo Commission that point to the gross human rights violation record of President Arroyo," said Lidasan.
 
Lidasan further said that as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo continue to deny the culpability of the General Jovito Palparan, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police for the more than 800 victims of extrajudicial killings, the less hope the victims and the families have that justice will prevail under the Arroyo administration.
 
"The Arroyo administration has too much skeletons in the closet and would want to keep them from Prof. Alston’s knowledge, hence they keep on finding ways to stop the victims from presenting their case and even continue to vilify the victims of extrajudicial killing and the human rights organizations that present the cases," said Lidasan.
 
Lidasan further said that despite of the government’s plan to establish courts for political killings, this will be useless if the government’s stand is consistently denying the culpability of its military and police in the killings.
 
According to Lidasan, relatives of the victims of extrajudicial killings of Moro inmates in Camp Bagong Diwa last March 15, 2005 will travel all the way from Basilan just so they can meet Mr. Alston and present their case.
 
Mrs. Jumdatul Mundi’s son, Gaffar Mundi was one of the 23 inmates killed in Camp Bagong Diwa as a consequence of General Angelo Reyes’ no negotiation policy in dealing with the Abu Sayyaf uprising in Camp Bagong Diwa.
"When the mother of Gaffar Mundi heard about the coming of Prof. Alston, it gave her hope that Prof. Alston’s will be a big help in her pursuit of justice for the death of her son," said Lidasan saying that it took Mrs. Mundi four years to fight for her son’s release from Camp Bagung Diwa prison and two year to seek justice for the death of her son because of the carnage at Camp Bagong Diwa in 2005.
 
Eleven out of the 23 inmates were victims of illegal arrest and detention and has pending cases of toruture against the army headed by General Hermogenes Esperon, then chief of 103rd IB in Basilan, that arrested them in July 13, 2001 .
 
The Commission on Human Rights has investigated the Camp Bagung Diwa massacre and presented their conclusion a year after which pointed the culpability of the PNP and General Reyes to the extrajudicial killing.
 
Until now, Secretary Raul Gonzales of the Department of Justice continue to disregard the Commission on Human Rights report
 
Lidasan further said that her will present organization will present cases of Moro victims of extrajudicial killings.
 
 
Reference: Amirah Ali Lidasan
Vice-Chairperson
Suara Bangsamoro Partylist Organization
Contact Number: 09267141357
Email: suarabangsamoro@gmail.com; suarabm@yahoo.com