Human rights advocates to solons: Pass anti-torture law now

By Florence F. Hibionada

Human rights advocates renewed its call for the immediate passage of anti-torture law left hanging in the 12 th Congress. With continuing calls for support, a nationwide move to hasten the passage and increase awareness on the need for anti-torture law reached Iloilo bearing yet grimmer statistics.

From the increasing number of torture cases to the steady rise of minors as its vulnerable victims, anti-torture lead advocates presented its case before a multi-sectoral group comprised of Ilonggo representatives coming from the government and non-government organizations.

In a report, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) disclosed 80 alleged torture cases all under the Arroyo government documented between January 1, 2001 to April 2005 covering 171 victims.

Topping the list of the alleged perpetrators, the TFDP report stated, is the Philippine Army with 38 on record followed by the Philippine National Police with 17. Completing the list are the Marines, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the civilian CAFGUs. The victims, same report further added, are primarily minors, women and the elderly.

The data formed part of the awareness raised during Friday's “Forum on Torture” conducted by the TFDP and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) here.

“An anti-torture law is imperative now,” Dr. Aurora Panong, TFDP Executive Director said similarly echoed by CHR's Chris Montano who explained to those present the many forms torture presents itself to the victims.

The ultimate aim and result of torture is one's breakdown of body and soul and intimidation towards submission, Montano said adding how such comes through psychological and physical kinds or worse, a combination of both. In any other forms, Montano stressed, torture has no place in the society, the Philippines particularly included.

“The victims of torture come from various parts of the country with Mindanao ranking as the highest with 88 victims followed by Luzon with 36 victims and Visayas with 21 victims. The statistics suggest a pattern rather than exception,” Panong for her part bared in an official statement. “Many more undocumented victims of torture await justice.”

The TFDP in pushing for its anti-torture advocacy also lamented the unresolved bills in the past 12 th Congress.

“With the opening of the 13 th Congress, the TFDP initiated a refiling of the bill criminalizing torture. It is hoped that this time, the 13 th Congress, will not let a year pass without enacting an anti-torture law,” she continued. “To date, the TFDP noted that its partnership with several local government councils nationwide have resulted into the passage of 243 resolutions urging Congress to prioritize the passage of an anti-torture law.”

Broken down into regions, Luzon have a total of 79 resolutions passed while 74 were recorded in the Visayas and 90 in Mindanao where the most number of victims are noted.

To note, the Philippine Constitution is clear on its provisions against torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation or any other means which vitiate the free will shall be used against any citizen. Likewise, a secret detention place, solitary, incommunicado or other similar forms of detention is prohibited and identified means of torture.

In May 2002, top government officials then signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on this regard that gathered the CHR, Justice Department, Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and an non-governmental group, The Medical Action Group. The MOU established the “Covenant Against Torture” (CAT) with the British Embassy in Manila as its counterpart and “head of mission.”

Foremost in said MOU's objective was to synchronize the common efforts of these various government organizations and NGOs concerning human rights violations and cases of torture and other forms of ill-treatment.