Probe on rights abuse cases urged

DAVAO CITY Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte toldhuman rights groups here that he would urge theCommission on Human Rights (CHR) toimmediately investigate on the cases of rights violations which included the recent killing of Mandaya father and son in New Bataan, Compostela Valley.

Rights groups together with families and relatives of victims of militarization in the region had a dialogue withDuterteFriday. The mayor also acts aschairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC).

Hanimay Suazo, secretary general of Karapatansaid thatmilitarization and righs abuses in the region are happening on an almost daily basis and we trust that MayorDuterte,asthe current chair of RPOC,could helpthe victims.

During the dialogue, variouscases of militarization in the region were sharedby the victims and their families includingthe harassment of paramilitary group Alamara in Kapalong, Davao del Norte last September; forced evacuation of Indigenous Peoples and red-tagging of pablo survivors in Baganga, Davao Oriental, and the killing of Bernardo Clarion, Sr. in barangay Talisay, Mandug, Davao City last Oct 1, 2014.

Duterte said that he would personally visit the areas to get the side of the military and to start the investigation.

He added that he will set another dialogue inviting all concernedparties including the different Infantry Divisions mentioned by the victims.

If only the admin [Aquino administration] pursued the peace process to the CPP-NDFP-NPA, these [human rights violations] will not happen, Duterte said.

Meanwhile, Pastor Sarly Templado of Exodus for Justice and Peace presented to Duterte during the dialoguethe request of support for their peace education campaign to be launched in the city.

Templado explained that this would help in informing the public ofthe peace process between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

Templado said that the launching, to be held next month, will invite members of peace advocates and families of human rights victims from different provinces in the region.(davaotoday.com)

Excerpt from:
Probe on rights abuse cases urged