Press Release
August 27, 2019

OPENING STATEMENT OF AKBAYAN SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS ON THE SPATE OF KILLINGS IN NEGROS
August 27, 2019
Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs joint with Justice and Human Rights

Una gusto ko magpasalamat sa ating Chair, si Sen Bato de la Rosa, for hearing my resolution on the alarming spate of killings in Negros Oriental. Kung ano-ano ang nadidinig natin sa balita -- kesyo NPA ang may kasalanan, kesyo mga pulis ang mga kasalanan. As a former member of the peace panel, I am not not unfamiliar with the long history of conflict with the armed Left. Naniniwala ako na ang karapatang pantao ay obligasyon hindi lang ng estado, kundi pati ng mga non-state actors. Kung pulis ang may kasalanan, dapat panagutin. Kung NPA or iba pang armadong pwersa ang may kasalanan, dapat din panagutin.

Mr. Chair, bilang patnugot ng resolution para imbestigahan ang patayan sa Negros, isa lang ang hangad ko: katarungan para sa mga biktima, kaparusuhan para sa mga maysala, at katahimikan para sa lalawigan ng Negros Oriental.

I end by quoting the first few lines of the Oratio Imperata by the four bishops who issued a pastoral letter against the killings. 'We pray that we be delivered from the evil of the killings that stalks our island. It is a violence that has deprived our people of peace; a violence that has orphaned many families; and a violence that has traumatized and instilled paralyzing fear in our communities.'

Salamat, Mr. Chair. May the paths we take lead only to peace and justice.

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