Victims of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines commemorated by Korean musicians in Hong Kong

By Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
October 24, 2006

HONG KONG – Solidarity can be expressed in many ways. Seven South Korean musicians expressed theirs for the victims of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines through a concert in Hong Kong on Sunday Oct. 22, 2006.

The Korean musicians who performed during the Kim Hyunok Composition Recital at St. John’s Cathedral were composer and pianist Kim Hyunok, sopranos Pahk Kay, Park Gyeongsuk and Lee Chansoon, pianist Lee Sangrog, violinist Yang Semi and cellist Lee Hoosung.

The 90-minute concert was followed by a worship service led by Fr. Dwight dela Torre of the Philippine Independent Church to commemorate the victims of this violence that the Philippine human rights group KARAPATAN (Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights) claims has taken the lives of more than 700 people since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took office in 2001.

Prior to the concert and worship service, Basil Fernando, executive director of the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), drew attention to the fatal stabbing of Bishop Alberto Ramento of the Philippine Independent Church in his convent room in Tarlac City in the early morning hours of Oct. 3, 2006.

“Now they have begun to kill the good people in the Philippines,” passionately exclaimed Fernando in his introductory remarks. “How can they kill a bishop who devoted his life to justice for the poor, an advocate for peace and human rights in his country?”

Fernando blamed the Philippine government for failing to protect Ramento, a leading public figure who had received death threats before his death like many other victims of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines in recent years.

“International standards require the Philippine government to protect its citizens,” explained Fernando. “Obviously, the Arroyo government has failed to meet its international obligations in the case of Bishop Ramento and hundreds of others since President Arroyo took control of the country.”

“Not only has the Philippine government not met this international benchmark,” Fernando added, “but it is even suspected by many observers inside and outside of the country, including the Asian Human Rights Commission, that agents of the state – the military and police – are responsible for these deaths, are the perpetrators of these killings.”

“Until legal remedies are provided for the victims and their families and the perpetrators are brought to justice, including the masterminds – no matter who they are – these killings are likely to continue,” concluded Fernando. “This is the yardstick by which President Arroyo and her government will be held accountable by the people of the Philippines and the international community.”

He encouraged the audience to become involved in stopping these killings and to continue to express their solidarity for the Filipino people in another dark hour of their history. Among the suggestions he offered for further expressions of support was to sign the online petition at http://www.pinoyhr.net/.