PAO chief to CHR: Probe killings by Abu Sayyaf too

Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta on Tuesday challenged the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to investigate killings perpetuated by the Abu Sayyaf Group, and not just those by government forces.

In a media briefing in Malacañang, Acosta welcomed the CHR's decision to investigate the death of Saad Samad Kiram alias Abu Saad, one of the Abu Sayyaf members who entered Bohol province in April.

Acosta, however, urged the rights body to also probe the slays of soldiers, policemen, and other government agents committed by the bandit group.

"Ang suggestion ko lang sa CHR, kung iimbestigahan nila yung mga napatay na Abu Sayyaf during encounter o kaya in the hands of law enforcers during detention, imbestigahan din nila sana yung mga sitwasyon na kung saan namumugot ng ulo, pumapatay at kundenahin din nila ang Abu Sayyaf para patas po," the PAO chief said.

"Kasi baka ang maging dating lang, mas palalakasin mo ang adovacy ng Abu Sayyaf kaysa sa advocacy ng ating mga sundalo at mga pulis. Patas po dapat tayo. Marami na tayong sundalo na pinugutan ng ulo, marami na po tayong pulis na napatay sa encounters nila at mga sibilyan at foreigners sa kamay ng Abu Sayyaf," she added.

Acosta further said: "Dapat po patas sa bawat pagkilos, dahil ang kapangyarihan na ibingay ng Estado ng Konstitusyon ay hindi gagamitin para sa iilan, yan ay gagamitin sa kapakanan ng majority."

Saad was killed by police authorities while trying to escape when he was being transported to the Bohol District Jail (BDJ) from the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) where he had been held for tactical interrogation. — MDM, GMA News