CPP: SC summit can’t stop mastermind of killings

While it was a laudable initiative, the Supreme Court’s summit on extra-judicial killings may not be enough to put an end to killings and disappearances. This was the lament of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), which said Tuesday night that the abuses will continue “so long as the mastermind remains in power." “Extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances will continue as long as the mastermind remains in power and enforces a deliberate state terrorist policy that sets the stage for gross violations of human rights," it said in a statement posted on its website www.philippinerevolution.net. CPP spokesman Gregorio “Ka Roger" Rosal said the summit highlighted the depth of concern among broad sectors of Philippine society and leading international organizations. Rosal said the CPP appreciated Chief Justice Reynato Puno’s goal to set new judicial rules that would require the military and police to take more action on killings or disappearances. The summit also sought the adoption of “new rules" and “extraordinary judicial measures" as a contribution to the efforts to the investigation and resolution of these crimes. “(But) under present circumstances, these are not enough in resolving the Malacañang-directed and military-perpetrated killings and abductions," Rosal said. He emphasized that ultimately it is the Arroyo regime’s policy of state terrorism against progressive and militant activists and critics that should be put to an end. In the meantime, Rosal said that the New People’s Army (NPA) and people’s courts are conducting their own investigations and are intensifying efforts to investigate and resolve particular cases of extra-judicial killings and abductions. He said these will “identify the culprits and mete out revolutionary justice against the masterminds and perpetrators." He said local people’s courts recently ordered the New People’s Army (NPA) to punish a number of those responsible for the killings and abductions, including military officials assigned to Army intelligence units. Aside from punishing the actual perpetrators of the killings, who are usually masked motorcycle-riding death squad members of the military, the NPA has been able to dispense justice against some military officials directing these death squads. Rosal cited the case of Capt. Patrick Baesa, an intelligence officer under the notorious 901st Infantry Battalion, who was meted out revolutionary punishment last November 2006. Baesa, who was based in Irosin, Albay, was responsible for organizing the death squads which carried out the killings of Max Frivaldo, Ding Uy, Rei Mon Guran and Barangay Chairman Neal Futalan. “But ultimately it is the Arroyo regime and its top security and military officials who should be punished for these heinous crimes," he said. He reiterated the CPP’s call on NPA units to intensify tactical offensives nationwide “to make the murderous and criminal regime and its armed forces pay for their fascist crimes and to contribute to the overall effort to bring down the hated, brutal regime." - GMANews.TV