Rights group seeks immediate formation of claims board

MANILA, Philippines - Several human rights organizations hope that the Human Rights Claims Board will be constituted soon to process the monetary claims of victims of martial law.

The Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA), Claimants 1081, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates, Bantayog ng mga Bayani, and Task Force Detainees of the Philippines said President Aquino signed into law the Reparation and Recognition of Human Rights Violations Victims Act of 2013 more than five months ago.

SELDA chair Marie Hilao-Enriquez likewise said thousands of human-rights victims nationwide expect a pronouncement about the Claims Board.

The nine-member Claims Board will draw up the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to process the monetary claims of the victims of martial law.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has approved the setting up of assistance centers nationwide to cater to the needs of martial law victims.

Initially, the CHR has been docketing and listing the names of surviving victims of martial law.

Chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales has instructed CHR regional centers to accommodate the documentation of human-rights violation reports as she continuously warned bogus claimants that they will be penalized in accordance with law.