A Resolution Condeming Political Killings; Demanding Urgent Action from the Concerned Agencies of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines Addressing Such Killings; And Urging Vigilance from the Youth and Students Sector and the Internationale Community
Whereas, Republic Act 8425, otherwise known as the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act, provides for the institutionalization of basic sector reprsentation in the poverty-alleviation processess of the National Government.
Whereas, by virtue of R.A 8425, the National Anti-Poverty Commission – Youth and Student Sector [NAPC - YS] was craeted to bring the policy issues of the Youth and Students Sector to the concerned National Government Agencies.
Whereas, NAPC - YS shall formulate positions in behalf of the Youth and Student Sector, in response to pressing issues affecting the sector.
Whereas, NAPC – YS recognizes the utmost importance of engaging and seeking remedies on the issue of political killings, with the rise in teh number of victims of such killings since 2001, including most importantly, youth and students.
Whereas, NAPC – YS believes that a culture of impunity exists in relation to political killings, thereby disabling teh supremacy of fundamental human rights;
Whereas, such impunity impedes any expression for redress of grievances against state and non-state institutions and/or any expression of political beliefs;
Whereas, the role in poverty reduction policy-making calls for NAPC – YS to craft policy recommendations to address poverty, necessary for the creation of a peaceful human existence;
Be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved, that an immediate cessation of killings on the basis of political propensity be carried out by the State, with the performance of the following actions;
The Office of President - to exercise political will in immediately ending political killings;
The National Anti-Poverty Commission – to recognize the implications of political killings to poverty elleviation;
The Department of Justice – to strengthen the Witness Protection Program and give premium to justice than heedless partisanship;
The Commission on Human Rights – to strengthen its capacity to more effectively perform its functions;
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process – to explore innovative ways in pursuing the peace process;
The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines – to hold its pride and dignity by taking serious action on personnel committing human rights violations, and to give room for critics without intimidation and harassment;
The Local Government Units – to ensure the protection of citizens in their localities;
The National Youth Commission – taking the lead in enagaging the youth and students on teh issue of political killings;
Be it resolved, further, that the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Agrarian Reform take a stand on teh issue of political killings, given that cases of such killings involved peasants figthing for their rights under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program
Be it resolved, further, that non-state actors, particularly the CPP – NPA – NDF, do its part of stopping political killings of helpless civilians and purges within its ranks;
Be it rsolved, further, that the International Community encourage more of its members to look into teh cases of political killings in the Philippines.
Be it resolved, finally, that teh Youth and Students, with its ranks shaken by political killings, be at the forefront of condemning the said killings, with recognition of and anxiety on such, as teh necessary first step for the vital role they have to play in propagating a culture of peace founded on eradicating poverty and culture of upheld fundamental human rights.
