Bantay Laya extension, Rosales in CHR: Aquino’s twin evils for human rights – KMU

“With the recent appointment of Etta Rosales to the Commission on Human Rights, and the announced 6-month extension of Oplan Bantay Laya II (OBL II), President Aquino has just unleashed twin evils that will most likely worsen the human rights situation in the country,” Kilusang Mayo Uno chairperson Elmer “Bong” Labog said.

Killings, militarization under OBL II

KMU said that the Oplan Bantay Laya program was responsible for the murder of more than 1,000 activists during the Arroyo regime, the abduction of many activist leaders, the militarization of many communities and work places, and other gross human rights violations.

“We clamored strongly for the junking of Oplan Bantay Laya during the Arroyo administration. Aquino’s extension of it affronts the memory of the people who were killed, those who were abducted and suffered human-rights violations under Oplan Bantay Laya 1 and 2.”

Labog also raised concern over the implications that the OBL II extension will have on many militarized factories where genuine and militant unions are in existence, such as Dole Philippines in South Cotabato, Robina Farms in Bulacan and Antipolo, Console Farms in San Miguel, Bulacan, and banana plantations in Compostela Valley.

Rosales parroting military’s red-baiting

KMU also condemned Aquino’s decision to push through with the appointment of Etta Rosales to the CHR top post, despite the well-grounded criticisms raised by various people’s organizations.

“During the mission of UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston, to cite a well-known example, Rosales only echoed the line of the AFP that extra-judicial killings were part of the internal purging being undertaken by the Communist Party of the Philippines.”

Labog also recalled that Rosales’ successor in Akbayan, Walden Bello, through his institution Focus on the Global South, named KMU, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Migrante International, Cordillera People's Alliance, International League of People's Struggles, and other legal progressive organizations as “groups that are associated or working closely with the CPP.”

“Tagging legal organizations as members or allies of the CPP has always been the justification of the military for attacking progressive legal organizations. Will the CHR now argue also along the same line, and dismiss the killings and harassments faced by our leaders and members? We warn Etta Rosales not to do so,” Labog said. #