London coalition slams Arroyo's failure to disband militias

    

AmnestyInternational

 

PressRelease

 

4March 2010


In London yesterday, an international coalition of human rights groups andlabour unions urged Philippine President Gloria Arroyo to abolish privatemilitias before she leaves office in May.

Amnesty International, the Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines, theInternational Federation of Journalists and the National Union of Journalistslaunched this appeal on the 100th day after the Maguindanao massacre. On 23November, at least 57 people were killed by armed men affiliated with theMaguindanao governor’s private militia.

“The Maguindanao massacre casts a heavy shadow over Arroyo’s presidency,” saidSam Zarifi, Asia-Pacific director at Amnesty International. “Arroyo is the onewho authorized private militias, and she can abolish them with the stoke of herpen."

The four organizations called on Arroyo to revoke Executive Order 546, whichhas allowed private militias to operate since 2006. More than 100 people havecharged in connection with the Maguindanao murders.

 

“When Arroyo leaves Malacañang, she shouldn’tleave behind the toxic legacy of 546,” said Zarifi.

In the Philippines, private militias responsible for serious human rightsviolations continue to operate with impunity. In February 2010 alone, thenumber of private armies in the Philippines increased from 68 to 117, accordingto an independent government commission.