HUNDREDS of relatives of victims of summary executions and human-rights advocates have called on President Duterte to stop the bloodshed that has sullied his administration since he assumed office on June 30 last year.
“With renewed strength and courage, and the truest sense of justice, we, families of victims of political killings and drug-related killings, urge the Duterte administration to put a stop to the killings in the Philippines,” they declared in a gathering held to launch the “Stop the Killings in the Philippines” campaign at the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) National Cathedral on William Howard Taft Avenue, Manila.
“Under past administrations, we fought for justice and sought audience here and abroad to stop the political killings. My husband was one of those who defended the rights of the poor and marginalized. He was a human-rights defender. Why should he become a victim himself?” said Hadji Nurhidaya, husband of Bayan Muna Basilan Coordinator Hadji Billamin Hassan, who was killed.
Hustisya called for justice for the 55 victims of political killings under the Duterte administration, including that of Hassan, who was killed on March 8 in an alleged raid in pursuit of Abu Sayyaf bandits in Lasa, Basilan.
“President Duterte should order the AFP [Armed Forces] to stop its all-out war against the people. People who fight for the rights of their communities should not be killed,” Nurhidaya argued.
Hustisya believes both political murders and drug-related killings are done with impunity and they violate the basic right of people to life and due process.
For Nurhidaya, the poor and marginalized should be salvaged from extreme poverty, exploitation and drug abuse, and not “salvaged” by the police and the military, in the name of the war on drugs.
“There should be an overhaul in the country’s judicial system. As long as the perpetrators are the men in uniform, the police and the military, the killings will not stop. As long as the butchers remain in power, they will use all their might to suppress the people who thirst for genuine change,” Nurhidaya said.
Evangeline Hernandez, chairman of Hustisya, also argued that the real criminals are those who trample upon the rights of the people.
“Spare the poor! We stand with the rest of the Filipino people that illegal drugs in the country should be eradicated. It is a grave socio-economic problem that victimizes the people. However, it should be addressed by effecting genuine socioeconomic reforms, by ensuring their rights and human dignity are respected,” Hernandez said.
Hustisya called on all peace and justice-loving people to support the call to stop the killings.
“Please join us in putting an end to impunity. We invite everyone to join the June 12 rally to Stop the Killings, and urge President Duterte to stay true to his promises of change,” Nurhidaya said.
“From there, let us unite against fighting a common enemy —the rotten system that perpetuates impunity and violations to human rights. We must unite for justice more than ever,” Hernandez also said.