Rights group hit PNP deception on ‘solved’ cases of killings and disappearances

The announcement of the Philippine National Police (PNP) that 56 cases of extrajudicial killings solved came as no surprise to human rights group Karapatan but criticized the PNP for deception.

“It is simply ridiculous if not totally deceiving that our police force keeps on insisting that cases are solved with the mere identification of suspects and filing of complaints,” Jigs Clamor, Karapatan Deputy Secretary said.

“A case is solved when the perpetrators are convicted and put behind bars.” Clamor continues. 

The announcement of the Philippine National Police (PNP) that 56 cases of extrajudicial killings solved came as no surprise to human rights group Karapatan but criticized the PNP for deception.

“It is simply ridiculous if not totally deceiving that our police force keeps on insisting that cases are solved with the mere identification of suspects and filing of complaints,” Jigs Clamor, Karapatan Deputy Secretary said.

“A case is solved when the perpetrators are convicted and put behind bars.” Clamor continues. 

Karapatan said that with this deception, the most affected are the families of the victims who were led to believe that their cases would finally be brought to justice.

The human rights group reiterated that “a thorough and scientific investigation is a requirement in solving cases and sadly, the the PNP has pathetically failed in many cases.” Karapatan cited the case of the extrajudicial execution of Aglipayan Bishop Alberto Ramento who was killed a year ago on October 3.

In the said case, the PNP prematurely adopted and stuck to the theory that the incident was a simple case of robbery with homicide, completely ruling out other possible angles and motives in the commission of the heinous crime of murder.  The considered the case solved and closed on 6 October 2006, barely three days after the crime was committed.

“Our police institution has undermined our justice system.  The pronouncements made about solved cases are mere propaganda ploy to convince the public and the international community that the Arroyo administration does not tolerate extrajudicial killing and enforced disappearance.” 

Karapatan avers that “justice has not yet been served to victims and raised deep concern that the atrocities are continuing because the counter-insurgency program Oplan Bantay Laya is still in place and continues to wreak havoc among the Filipino people who criticize the anti-fascist and anti-people policies of the Arroyo administration.”