Malacañang seeks plan of action against EJKs
Malacañang is conferring with stakeholders and concerned agencies to come up with a viable plan of action to stem the spate of extrajudicial killings in the country.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said President Benigno Simeon Aquino III has directed Philippine National Police chief Jesus Versoza to find ways to address the extrajudicial killings, the Philippine News Agency reported.
Lacierda issued the statement in light of the slaying of Bayan Muna coordinator Fernando Baldomero in Kalibo, Aklan last Monday, the first under the Aquino administration.
Lacierda said the PNP is currently studying and “reviewing” these recent crimes.
“We will pursue a proactive way in dealing with all these extrajudicial killings,” he said.
He added: “We will come up with ways to handle the extrajudicial killings but certainly, the Aquino administration and President Aquino, being a victim of human rights violations himself, does not tolerate and will not tolerate extrajudicial killings under his administration.”
He said that Malacañang will promote among agencies concerned tighter coordination on ending extrajudicial killings and private armies.
The Arroyo administration believes that extra-judicial killings and private armies must end because both contradict the government’s thrust towards promoting human rights and democracy, Lacierda said.
The Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Department of Justice are among the public agencies involved in the fight against EJKs and private armies.
Lacierda said authorities concerned are reviewing cases involving extra-judicial killings so they can come up with more effective means of addressing this problem.
This review will also help authorities determine if the killings were carried out to embarrass the administration, added.