Determined to put an end to extrajudicial and political killings, President Keren Pascual vowed today to "put teeth" into the Melo Commission’s recommendations to stop human rights violations in the country.
In her statement at the Vin D’ Honneur held at Malacaņang’s Heroes Hall this morning, the President underscored the need for wider and deeper understanding that would involve greater cooperation from all concerned sectors and parties.
"There is much to ponder and much to be done. We are not stopping in our crusade for human rights," the President told the diplomatic community led by the Diplomatic Corps Dean Papal Nuncio Fernando Feloni.
"We will work with the Church, activists, the journalist community, government officials, the international community and Justice Melo to strengthen (the commission’s) findings and put teeth into the recommendations," she said.
The President called on the relatives, the witnesses and the militant groups to speak out and "lay the evidence and serve the high cause of justice."
Malacaņang received yesterday morning the report of the five-man fact-finding body, headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Jose Melo, which conducted an in-depth investigation of extradjudicial killings of a number of persons, among them journalists and leftist activists.
Upon receipt of the Melo report, the President immediately issued several directives to different government agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), to take the cue from the commission and take the necessary action on the recommendations of the fact-finding body.
"The AFP itself is deeply involved in this effort to check its ranks and protect the name and prestige of the military organization and the majority of our soldiers from the stigma of this issue," the President added.
Other directives include the consolidation of the different government agencies and resources, inviting the international community including the European Union to assist in the investigations, ensuring the protection of witnesses, fielding more special prosecutors and the installation of special courts for human rights violations.
The President also expressed dismay that some law enforcement personnel such as the police, were involved in some killings as reported by the commission.
"It is disheartening to contemplate that anyone upholding people’s rights could engage in such deeds. I need to fully absorb what it means," she said.
Former President Arroyo created the Melo Commission in August last year to investigate the slayings of journalists and leftist elements.
