OPAPP, IBP-Leyte jointly undertake ‘Aksyon Solayao-Picoy cases’

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July 30, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  In an unprecedented move to stop extrajudicial killings, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) and the Intergrated Bar of the Philippines, Leyte Chapter (IBP-Leyte) agreed and forged themselves to work for the common objective of helping quickly resolve the Solayao and Picoy cases.

The signing of a Memorandum of Agreement, held on Friday at Greenhouse Restaurant in Tacloban City, was done by OPAPP Assistant Secretary for Operations Evelyn Daplas, represented by Mr. Romeo Montenegro, and IBP-Leyte Chapter President Jerry Gwen Conde.

The signing was witnessed by Tacloban PNP Chief Romulo Cleve Taboso and PIA Director Olive Tiu, together with IBP-Leyte Vice President Atty. Danny Matriano and the members of the tri-media in Tacloban City.

Both OPAPP and the IBP-Leyte Chapter recognize the need to exert consolidated efforts to assist the bereaved families by providing humanitarian support and help speed up the investigation and resolution of the deaths of Charlie Solayao and Rogelio Picoy who are among the latest victims of the so called extrajudicial killings in Tacloban City.

The idea of the joint undertaking cropped up when OPAPP Secretary Jesus Dureza came to Tacloban the other week to present to the Solayao family the financial support of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Secretary Dureza made initial talks with Atty. Danny Matriano for a combined and determined efforts to resolve extrajudicial killings.

Both the OPAPP and the IBP-Leyte acknowledge that combined and determined efforts of helping together to quickly resolve the Solayao and Picoy cases and to pursue continuing advocacy for vigilance against human rights violations.

Under the Memorandum of Agreement, OPAPP shall provide a mechanism for coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police for exchange of information and joint investigation on the Solayao and Picoy cases.

For its part, the IBP-Leyte shall facilitate the receipt, initial processing and relaying to the NBI and PNP relevant information and leads provided by credible sources through a designated hotline mobile number and unit provided by OPAPP.

IBP-Leyte shall monitor the investigation and relay the progress of this undertaking to the public through various fora, and advocate for stronger community vigilance on human rights violations in possible coordination with such agencies as the Philippine Information Agency and media organizations.

The OPAPP is a government agency mandated to ensure the pursuit of the Philippine Government’s overall peace agenda, through implementation, coordination, monitoring and integration of all Government peace initiatives and the participation of civil society in the pursuit of a just and lasting peace in the country.

Recently, the OPAPP has been tasked by President Arroyo to activate a quick response and coordination mechanism to address human rights violations, focusing both on providing humanitarian support to the victims and families, and effect coordination among concerned agencies to speed up investigation and resolution of cases.

The local chapter of the IBP is undertaking various programs among others, free legal assistance to underprivileged clients mostly those from impoverish areas seeking legal redress to unlawful acts and human rights violations.