UN urged: Also probe killings, human rights abuses by NPA rebels

ALMOST ALL news stories—on radio or TV, or in newspapers—are about the antidrug war of the Philippine National Police and the government and the spate of extrajudicial killings that seem to have characterized the campaign. In fact, two Senate hearings on the killings have been convened.

The killings—in which suspected drug users, drug pushers and drug lords have fallen prey—have created a controversy, and the United Nations itself is alarmed by the culture of death that the killings seem to be promoting. The UN is urging the Philippine government to put a stop to the extrajudicial killings, reminding the latter of its responsibility to protect and uphold the rights of all people, be they criminals or law-abiding citizens.

I understand that the UN has to address such matters, but I think there are other concerns that it should also look into and take issue with—like the death of innocent civilians, especially women and children, the victims of IEDs (improvised explosive devices), the victims of the extortion activities and many other crimes committed by the New People’s Army. Why is the UN limiting its concern to the deaths of drug users, drug pushers and drug lords who are a plague to society? The crimes committed by the NPA are clearly human rights violations under our laws as much as they are under international humanitarian laws.

I am not against the UN but there are other issues here in the Philippines that it should also give attention to.

The UN is calling our government to stop the extrajudicial killing of drug addicts and traffickers; we in turn are calling the UN to investigate the brutal killings and crimes done by NPA rebels against innocent Filipinos who just wanted to live in peace and enjoy a bright future.

I think this is more important than criticizing the government for its campaign against illegal drugs, a war we all know will ultimately benefit all of us and free us of the fear of our children becoming “drug victims,” too.

—MARGIE F. SAMSON, [email protected]