Bu-lat-lat (boo-lat-lat) verb: to search, probe, investigate, inquire; to unearth facts

Volume IV,  Number 16              May 23 - 29, 2004            Quezon City, Philippines


 





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HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

General Rapped by Rights Body for Mindoro Killings

A document received by human rights lawyers shows that Brig. Gen. Jovito Palparan, dubbed as “Butcher of Mindoro” by rights groups, was rapped by the Commission on Human Rights for the spate of killings in the island. This was contained in an en banc resolution dated March 16 but received by the counsel only on May 18.

BY EMILY VITAL
Bulatlat.com

A document received by human rights lawyers shows that Brig. Gen. Jovito Palparan, dubbed as “Butcher of Mindoro” by rights groups, was rapped by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) for the spate of killings in the island. This was contained in an en banc resolution dated March 16 but received by the counsel only on May 18.

The CHR castigated Palparan in its resolution for the alleged abduction and killing of human rights leader Eden Marcellana and peasant leader Eddie Gumanoy. The two were abducted April 21 last year.  Their bodies were found two days later in Bansud, Mindoro Oriental.

Amid strong objections from human rights advocates and people’s organizations, Palparan was secretly promoted by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. While alleged to be the mastermind of the spate of killings in Mindoro Oriental, he was merely transferred to another command despite his record.

Daunting

In the resolution, the Commission states, “It is common knowledge and state of mind that reports of killings of civilians in Mindoro have been daunting.”

As then commander of the 204th Infantry Brigade, the Commission says Palparan was aware of the complaints and spate of killings.

The resolution further states, “It is appalling to note that Col. Palparan failed to initiate investigation, especially that his unit and the personnel under his command have been complained of to have complicity in the violations to life of the victims.  As agent of the state, Col. Palparan is the responsible officer to act and address this impunity under his jurisdiction.”

The CHR cited certain regulations governing the conduct of internal security operations.  Among them is respect for human rights and command responsibility.

Moral victory

In a telephone interview with Bulatlat.com, human rights lawyer Edre Olalia said the CHR resolution was a pleasant surprise and a moral victory.

Olalia said the Commissioners got one of the most commendable documentation of human rights violations.  “The Commissioners saw through it.”

“We believe the mobilization during hearings compelled the CHR to castigate Palparan.  It’s going to be suicidal for the CHR to ignore totally the complaints against Palparan,” Olalia said.

Not enough

However, Olalia said the victims and relatives remain critical to the CHR resolution.  He said the CHR only chided Palparan for failing to investigate cases of human rights violations but failed to see that Palparan himself is the primary suspect to these killings.

“It fell short of delivering the kind of justice the victims and their relatives demand,” said Olalia.

Whitewash

Olalia further said that the resolution has somehow validated the belief of the victims and relatives that cases filed before the justice department against Palparan are going in the direction of whitewash.

On Feb. 26, relatives and witnesses of Marcellana and Gumanoy issued a statement withdrawing their complaints before the CHR.

Complainants Orly Marcellana, widower of Eden; Maria Gumanoy, widow of Eddie; Christine dela Cruz, witness and victims and Irein Cuasay, spokesperson of Karapatan-Southern Tagalog, said in their statement, “Walang saysay, walang ngipin ang Komisyong ito.” (This Commission is toothless, senseless).

The withdrawal of the complaints came after the confirmation of promotion of Palparan and the killings of Atty. Juvy Magsino, vice mayor of Naujan, Mindoro Oriental and Leyma Fortu, secretary general of Karapatan provincial chapter.

“It is so easy to understand how they would lose faith in the justice system,” said Olalia.

Olalia revealed that hearings before the justice department have been postponed.  “By November last year, the preliminary investigation was already finished.  Until now, the justice department has not issued a resolution.”

Olalia related the hearings in the Committees of Justice and Human Rights in the House and Senate regarding Marcellana-Gumanoy killings have not come up with any resolution either. Bulatlat.com

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