Bayan Muna Asks For More Time To Resolve Cases Of Extra-Judical Killings In RP

DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 13 Mar) – The militant Bayan Muna party list group on Tuesday doubted special courts formed to handle extra-judicial killings in the Philippines would result to fair and credible rulings.

The Supreme Court had ordered all these special regional trial courts to resolve the cases in 90 days.

Bayan Muna Rep. Joel Virador said the cases of summary killings in the country are not ordinary hat could be resolved in a matter of 90 days.

“With due respect to our RTC judges, their capacity and honesty are not in question in this resolve to create the most effective body that will look into the cases. What is clear to have been undermined in this resolution is the fact that the cases do not only involve the families of the victims and the witnesses to the killings.”

"The SC’s order will only disregard the recommendations of the UN and Melo reports. Worst, we see this resolution as a way to hasten the exoneration of the crimes’ real culprits," Virador said.

Virador was referring to the investigations on extra-judicial killings conducted in the Philippines by U.N. representative Philip Alston and the independent Melo Commission which linked soldiers in most of the murder of political activists.

More than 900 activists had been murdered in the Philippines since President Gloria Arroyo rose to power in 2001. (Mindanao Examiner)

Bomba, Bala; Posters, Kalendaryo Ng Bayan Nasamsam Sa Lugar Ng NPA

MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 05 Mar) IBAT-IBANG poster at kalendaryo ng Bayan Muna party list group ang nasamsam ng militar kasunod ng pakikipag-engkuwentro sa mga hinihinalang miyembro ng New People's Army (NPA) sa Toril, Davao City.

Nabatid ngayong araw kay kay Army spokesman Major Ernesto Torres, Jr. na nakasagupa ng mga elemento ng 73rd Infantry Battalion ang mga rebelde sa ilalim ng isang kumander Bobby sa bisinidad ng Barangay Eden sa naturang lalawigan.

Bukod sa mga campaign materials ng Bayan Muna, nakuha rin ng mga sundalo sa lugar ng insidente ang 52 rounds ng bala para sa M60, dalawang improvised landmines at mga subersibong dokumento.

Kasunod nito, hinamon ng opisyal ang liderato ng gerilyang grupo na patunayang wala itong kaunayan sa sinumang politiko.

"Following the report, we challenge the NPA leadership to prove that they are in no way associated with any political group who is running for elections in May," ani Torres sa Mindanao Examiner.

Mahigit sa 100 piraso ng kalendaryo na may larawan nina Reps. Satur Ocampo, Joel Virador at Teddy Casino at mga poster na humihikayat ng pagboto ang nakuha ng militar buhat sa mga rebelde.

Dalawang sundalo rin ang napatay kasunod ng sagupaan na nakilalang sina Staff Sergeant Conrado Nequiaz at Cafgu member at dating rebelde na si Gary Lopez.

Tatlo naman sa panig ng komunistang grupo ang napaslang bagamat nabigong marekober ng tropa ng pamahalaan ang mga labi nito. (Juley Reyes)