Philippine Human Rights Continues Its Downward Spiral

In 1972, Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law which allowed him to stay in power indefinitely. His term was marred by personal health issues, government mismanagement, political repression, graft and corruption and rampant human rights violations.

In 1986, he was re-elected for the fourth time, in a disputed snap election which resulted in his unceremonious removal from office through peaceful means by the "People Power" EDSA Revolution. The event was an unprecedented event in Philippine history. While the EDSA Revolution is almost universally acknowledged as a great example of democracy at work, the Philippines has largely failed to actualize the possible gains from a fresh change in government.

Among the conditions cited are the overall slow growth of the Philippine economy, especially compared to that of other nearby Southeast Asian countries, the essentially unchanged political atmosphere in the country, the general feeling of worsening living conditions especially among the poor sectors of society, and the continued serious violation by the Philippine security forces of human rights, despite efforts of civilian authorities to control them.

Although the government "generally" respected human rights, some security forces elements—particularly the Philippine National Police—practiced extra-judicial killings, vigilantism, disappearances, torture, and arbitrary arrest and detention in their battle against criminals and terrorists. Prison conditions were harsh, and the slow judicial process as well as corrupt police, judges, and prosecutors impaired due process and the rule of law. Besides criminals and terrorists, human rights activists, left-wing political activists, and Muslims were sometimes the victims of improper police conduct. Violence against women and abuse of children remained serious problems, and some children were pressed into slave labor and prostitution. KARAPATAN, a major human rights alliance in our country, has recorded over 800 cases of extrajudicial killings of activists and another 200 abducted and missing since President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took power in 2001 and ordered intensified campaigns to those against her government. 

Only recently, another tragedy has occurred. Last Thursday, April 12, 2007, unidentified gunmen shot Jose Ely Garachico, secretary-general of Karapatan Panay chapter, and kidnapped Nilo Arado, coordinator of the left-wing party Anakpawis, and Maria Luisa Posa-Dominado of Selda. The victims were on their way back to Iloilo City from San Jose, Antique when their vehicle was blocked by suspects in a Mitsubishi L-300 van. Garachico survived the ambush and he is presently recovering in a hospital. Unfortunately, to this time, Arado and Posa-Dominado remain missing.

This government seems intent on silencing anyone who dared speak against it.  As Filipinos, we should not take this sitting down. We should not stop until Maria Luisa Posa-Dominado and her companion are released and until there is justice for every man, woman and child who suffered from political violence under this tyranny of murderers.

God bless the Philippines!