Prolife groups lobby Congress for anti-torture bill

Various groups on Sunday urged Congress to speed up the passage into law of a bill seeking to prevent torture and other human rights violations. Pro-Life Philippines Foundation Inc. and its allies said they have filed a petition to push the enactment of the proposed Citizen Protection Act of 2010. "Citizen Protection Act of 2010 is a proposed law that urge for the security of any citizen against forms of injustice, human rights violations, torture, or abuse of power by the military, emphasizing the ‘right to life in every human activity,’ and calling for a firm control over the issue of firearms, and ‘respect for life in professional and social actions," the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said in its news site. The CBCP said the petition was lodged with the House of Representatives last Sept. 21. Joining the group were Alyansang Bayanihan ng mga Magsasaka Mangagawang-Bukid at Mangingisda (ABA) and the Ang Kapatiran Party (AKP). Pro-life said the filing of the petition signified the oneness of the group on the celebration of the International Day of Peace. It added the date was near the start of a gun ban for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 25. September 21 was also the 38th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law. - KBK, GMANews.TV