KARAPATAN starts legal offensive vs. rights violators

Press Release
By KARAPATAN
April 28, 2006

QUEZON CITY – The human rights alliance KARAPATAN on Thursday (April 27) filed criminal and administrative complaints in behalf of victims of brutality committed by policemen during rallies in the City of Manila, signaling the start of the legal offensive of human rights groups against rights violators in the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“We warn notorious violators of civil liberties that we will defend those rights in both the court of public opinion and in legal courts,” said KARAPATAN Secretary General Marie Hilao-Enriquez.

Charges of violation of provisions of the Batas Pambansa 880 and Republic Act 7438 or the Rights of Arrested and Detained Persons were pressed at the Office of the Ombudsman against PNP officials Gen. Arturo Lomibao, Gen. Vidal Querol, Gen. Pedro Bulaong, Supt. Bernard Diaz, P/Insp. John Guiagui and other John Does who can be identified by means of the pictures and video footages that were submitted as evidence.

Acts of lasciviousness, maltreatment and grave threats to persons under detention were also filed against members of the police force who would be identifiable as they were caught on tape.

Enriquez said that these cases illustrate the irony of what the GMA administration asserts as “rule of law”. “They violate the law (BP 880) to impose the law against the people. “

“What should be curtailed are the abuses of security forces, and not the people’s rights to assembly and expression. Hounding violators in court is one way of battling the culture of impunity,” Enriquez added.

Meanwhile, legal counsel Alfonso Cinco IV said “With the evidences that we have, we are sure we can pin down the PNP elements. The non-wearing of IDs, the carrying of firearms within 100 meters of the demonstration and the violent dispersals of peaceful assemblies injured countless citizens. These are very serious violations, implemented upon the orders of high PNP officials.”

KARAPATAN said they have a list of at least 75 notorious human rights violators nationwide. Their chapters are preparing charges against them.

“The rule of law is twinned by civil liberties. Justice must be served for all the victims of suppression. And violators must face the consequences of their action.” Atty. Cinco concluded.