Justice sought for slain cartoonist

MANILA, Philippines — The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) called yesterday for a thorough and swift investigation into the killing of an editorial cartoonist in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat over the weekend.

Benharl Kahil, also a teacher and art coordinator at the Lebak Legislative National High School, was shot dead by still unidentified assailants in Barangay Pasandalan.

ACT said Kahil’s death is a ”great loss to the causes of nationalist education and arts.”

“From his editorial cartoons, it is evident that Teacher Benharl had taken to heart the noble duty of teachers to stand with and disseminate truth, act as a social critic and espouse patriotism,” the teachers’ group said.

“His works outstandingly expressed social commentaries on the issues of teachers and education, disinformation, historical revisionism, human rights and democracy, rightfully earning him awards and accolades,” it added.

ACT said Kahil should not just add to the statistics of killings in the country, stressing that his assailants should be brought to justice immediately.

Kahil’s death followed a statement of the United Nations Human Rights Committee expressing concern over reports of human rights violations in the Philippines, including attacks on journalists, activists and other human rights defenders.