Gross violation of human rights

The military institution calls the attention of human rights bodies, government or independent, to the brutal killing of SSg Efraim Bagonoc who was killed in front of his 15-year-old daughter and subordinates in Toboso, Negros Occidental on Aug. 28, 2010. It is our hope that human rights groups, especially the Commission on Human Rights, can respond promptly and firmly on this gross violation of human rights.

We condemn the New People’s Army for exposing SSg Bagonoc’s daughter to such brutality and for the murderers’ temerity in justifying such atrocity. Do they actually find the apparent trauma and psychological anguish that the child is going through and that which will surely alter her life in unimaginable ways sensible?

We also urge Karapatan to show willingness to act on this human rights violation. We challenge them to stop being selective and recognize the fact that soldiers and policemen too are entitled to equity and human rights; and if these are violated, they also deserve the attention of human rights organizations. We hope that, because they espouse human rights, Karapatan can show proportionate attention and hold the same standards towards the men of law as when they feverishly defend militant personalities.

Together, we can help SSg Bagonoc’s family and friends gradually come to terms with what happened and to find healing by ensuring that justice is pursued and that the perpetrators will be held accountable.