On the DOJ’s ‘superbody’ for EJK cases
Amidst the unresolved extrajudicial killings under President Noynoy Aquino, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima recently proposed the creation of a ‘’superbody” to investigate cases of extrajudicial killings. As she announced her proposal yesterday, Karapatan received report that on November 11, Ely Oguis, a Barangay Kagawad in Guinobatan Albay, was beheaded by elements believed to be members of the 2nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.
“The killings have not only increased under the Aquino government; it has also become more gruesome. Of the 114 cases of extrajudicial killings under this government, not one perpetrator was prosecuted. Impunity continues despite so-called efforts by the government to conduct investigations. What now is our assurance that the killings will be solved by this so called “superbody”? asked Cristina Palabay, secretary general of Karapatan.
On the DOJ’s ‘superbody’ for EJK cases
Amidst the unresolved extrajudicial killings under President Noynoy Aquino, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima recently proposed the creation of a ‘’superbody” to investigate cases of extrajudicial killings. As she announced her proposal yesterday, Karapatan received report that on November 11, Ely Oguis, a Barangay Kagawad in Guinobatan Albay, was beheaded by elements believed to be members of the 2nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.
“The killings have not only increased under the Aquino government; it has also become more gruesome. Of the 114 cases of extrajudicial killings under this government, not one perpetrator was prosecuted. Impunity continues despite so-called efforts by the government to conduct investigations. What now is our assurance that the killings will be solved by this so called “superbody”? asked Cristina Palabay, secretary general of Karapatan.
“The cases of Leonardo Co and Fr. Fausto “Pops” Tentorio have long been pending before the DOJ under the supervision of Under Secretary Francisco Baraan. Up to now, DOJ has not shed light on these cases that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators and masterminds,” said Palabay.
Aside from decapitation, Oguis sustained five gunshot wounds in the chest which damaged his lungs and heart. His head, found more than a meter away from the body and almost buried in mud, had signs of being hit by a hard object. Oguis ears were also cut off.
This latest case came after the massacre in Tampakan where a pregnant Blaan, Juvy Capion, and her two sons were killed by the military. Another case was that of Genesis Ambason, a tribal leader in Agusan del Sur who was shot and then tortured to death by paramilitary groups attached to the 26th IB-PA. Ambason’s family said that his head had shrunk due to heavy beatings and his teeth were all gone.
“What we need now are results, and for the government to go after the perpetrators of human rights violations. The victims and their families deserve no less than justice,” concluded Palabay. ###