Pimentel son: Continued gov’t denials strengthen suspicions

By Dona Pazzibugan
Inquirer
Last updated 08:05am (Mla time) 03/27/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Genuine Opposition senatorial candidate Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Monday said the Arroyo administration’s continued denial of the extent of extrajudicial killings in the country strengthened the perception that the killings were government-sanctioned.

He said the government, which is ultimately responsible for putting a stop to the killings, should face the problem rather than “keep on shooting the messenger.”

“As a lawyer, I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. But if they continue to avoid answering the substance of the message, then maybe there’s substance to the accusation that this has become state policy,” said Pimentel, a bar topnotcher and son of incumbent Sen. Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr.

“Why does it keep on turning a blind eye? This is no longer just the Commander in Chief’s responsibility. This is already the Commander in Chief’s complicity,” he added.

“If our government continues its state of denial that there are no human rights violations, when international organizations have expressed alarm at gross and rampant human rights violations, then the public should now speak up,” Pimentel said.

He said that when elected, opposition senators would conduct a more thorough investigation.

“Our promise is we will investigate each and every one of these extrajudicial killings and get to the root of these and bring to justice the perpetrators, unlike the Arroyo administration that is in a state of denial,” he said.


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