Lawmakers seek probe on allegations of AFP's involvement in killings

MANILA, Philippines - Four lawmakers called yesterday for a congressional investigation into Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s allegations that some members of the Armed Forces are behind the recent killings of activists and journalists.

Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. said the allegations are very serious considering the Armed Forces under the Constitution is the protector of the people.

“I anticipate that some of my colleagues in the 15th Congress would be filing a resolution calling for an investigation of this matter,” he said.

Due process requires that the accused be given the chance to disprove the allegations, Barzaga said.

Marikina Rep. Romero Federico Quimbo said he does not want to immediately pass judgment on the guilt of the military.

“The circumstances are highly suspicious that should lead us to investigate the matter and definitely, Congress must look into it,” he said.

Quimbo said he is deeply alarmed that the recent victims are mostly teachers whose numbers are already dwindling.

“In the end, the issue is not only about the death of activists, but how the country’s democratic and government institutions are being misused and abused. These killings must stop.

“There are quite a number of former activists that were elected in Congress. Maybe this is a good opportunity for all of us to unite, regardless of parties we belong to, in this call to stop these killings of activists in the country.”

Marikina Rep. Marcelino Teodoro said De Lima’s allegations should be supported by hard evidence and thoroughly investigated.

“We must acknowledge the fact that the AFP is at the forefront of national security and this issue can smear their image and violate their constitutional mandate,” he said.

Compostela Valley Rep. Maria Carmen Apsay said the alleged involvement of some military personnel in the killing of activists is very alarming.

“I support a congressional investigation on the matter to rid the military of scalawags who continue to tarnish the image of the AFP as defenders of the people,” she said.

The report of United Nations Special Rapporteur Philip Alston on the killings of activists and journalists also had similar findings, she added.

Victim identifies attacker

A seriously wounded Miguel Belen identified his attacker in the police gallery of Iriga City yesterday.

Camarines Sur police commander Senior Superintendent Jonathan Ablang said that Belen pointed to a photograph of a man in the gallery of wanted persons.

The suspect is out on bail for robbery-holdup cases, he added. Ablang withheld the suspect’s name because police are tracking him down.

“We are actually requesting the media not to name the suspect because we are right now conducting tactical operations to track Belen’s attacker,” he said.

Ablang said police could not yet subject Belen, a radio reporter of dwEB-FM in Iriga City, to thorough questioning because he could not yet speak due to multiple gunshot wounds.

Once Belen recovers, they would try to get more data from him, he added.

Belen was seriously hurt when shot at least seven times in the body as he was going home to Barangay Jose Pagaraon in Nabua, Camarines Sur last July 9.

De Lima tells prosecutors: Help probe killings

Justice Secretary De Lima ordered yesterday prosecutors to help investigate cases of unexplained killings.

In a memorandum circular, De Lima said city and provincial prosecutors must assign a prosecutor to the investigation of unexplained killings.

“The new directive is now the standard operating procedure for prosecutors nationwide with respect to their disposition of the said cases,” she said.

Under the guidelines, provincial and city prosecutors must coordinate and cooperate with law enforcement agencies in the criminal investigations.

However, De Lima said the preliminary investigation of complaints filed at the Department of Justice would be conducted by another prosecutor.

The new rule is patterned after practices in most developed countries in the European Union.

The provincial prosecutors of Kalinga, Masbate, Aklan, Camarines Sur, Nueva Ecija and Bataan were directed to work closely with the police and other law enforcement agencies investigating unexplained killings.

She plans to strengthen the campaign against unexplained killings, De Lima said.

(Paolo Romero, Cet Dematera, Mike Frialde, Celso Amo, Edu Punay)