NEWS AT A GLANCE
Legislators hit GMA’s
commission on political killings
Detained Anakpawis
(Toiling Masses) Rep. Crispin Beltran expressed apprehension and
skepticism over the reported creation of a presidential commission that
will investigate the continuing extrajudicial killings.
"The political
killings commission planned by President Gloria Arroyo would only serve as
an exonerating body that would unbelievably clear the Arroyo
administration of any culpability whatsoever for the killings of at least
725 activists since 2001," said Beltran.
He added that the
president was forced to do this, “trying to save face” from the
international community, “after being slapped in the face by the Amnesty
International report and other international indictments of her
dictatorial rule.”
Instead, Beltran
stressed the need for an independent investigating body “that will not be
beholden to the Palace or tied to the Task Force Usig."
Meanwhile, Sen. Jamby
Madrigal said that this move “smacks of arrogance and
insensitivity,” adding that another layer to the bureaucracy is not the
answer.
Instead, she
challenged the president to provide reparation for the families of the
victims, end the “total war policy,” and remove controversial officers
like Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, Jr. “if she is really serious about the
extrajudicial killings.” Bulatlat
* * *
Military attack within
Mayon’s danger zone treacherous – Ka Roger
Communist Party of
the Philippines (CPP) spokesperson Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal said in an
Aug. 18 statement that the 9th Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine
Army has “treacherously” taken advantage of the unilateral ceasefire
declared by the New People's Army (NPA) after it allegedly launched a
military offensive against one of its units within the 15-km zone around
Mayon volcano in Legazpi, Albay.
Rosal said that the
NPA unit operating in Malinao, near the northern slope of Mayon volcano,
was avoiding an encounter after it learned of the presence of the 9th
ID forces in Barangay (village) Sua. However, he said that the soldiers
“pursued the guerillas and initiated a firefight.” The NPA guerrillas were
compelled to defend themselves while slipping out of the conflict area,
Rosal said.
There were no
reported casualties on either side.
“Worse, the 9th ID is
disrupting relief efforts. We have received several reports that AFP
officials have been stealing relief goods," said Rosal.
The National
Democratic Front (NDF)-Bicol has declared a unilateral ceasefire in the
wake of the disaster. Bulatlat
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