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Steps to end mysterious killings

P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE: Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Tuesday issued a series of directives aimed at "stopping" the reported wave of extra-judicial killings "once and for all."

In a key move, Ms. Arroyo mandated the National Defence Department and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to prepare an "updated document on command responsibility."

The objective was to address the allegations and suspicions about the involvement of some AFP personnel in the mysterious killings of political activists, especially those from the Left, and others including journalists. She would ask the Supreme Court to set up special courts to hear cases of alleged extra-judicial murders on "political and ideological" grounds.

Investigation ordered

In a related move, she directed the Departments of Justice and National Defence to "coordinate" with the existing Commission on Human Rights to set up a fact-finding panel. This body would be tasked to investigate the alleged involvement of military personnel and file charges for prosecutions on that basis.

Ms. Arroyo's directives were announced by the presidential office in Manila after she received, earlier in the day, a report from a five-member commission headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court, Jose Melo. She had set up the commission to assuage the growing public outcry over the suspected extra-judicial killings in the context of her administration's anti-terror drive and anti-insurgency operations.

She asked the Melo Commission to continue its work. She wanted to "broaden and enhance the witness protection programme" to facilitate investigations and prosecutions. Ms. Arroyo indicated that Manila would seek help from the E.U. for streamlining the investigations.

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