An international delegation of United Methodist church has called for justice to guarantee "civil freedoms under threat".
Manila (AsiaNews) An international delegation of United Methodist church leaders has called on the Filipino government to investigate all summary killings, of church workers, human rights activists and media persons in the country.
On 6 January, members of the delegation from the United States, Europe, Africa, Russia and the Philippines, met representatives of the US Embassy, the government, the army, NGOs and people who have been directly affected by violence. They said the president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, should take decisive action to safeguard civil rights in the country as a matter of urgency. Members of the local Methodist Church were present at the meeting and they accused the army and police of being responsible for the death of their dear ones. According to a statement issued by the delegation, the army denied the accusations.
The statement said that "because of the high level of fear and intimidation among victims, it is difficult to identify perpetrators, so they may enjoy impunity for their actions. This threatens the quality of civic life in the Philippines."
According to the far left-wing Bayan Muna party, whose members are often targeted by unknown gunmen, more than 100 activists and church workers have been killed since President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took office in 2001. In its annual report on freedom of the press in 2005, Reporters without Frontiers ranked the Philippines second, after Iraq, as the most dangerous place for journalists. Seven died last year. The association said it is no longer armed groups which pose a threat, but politicians, businessmen and traffickers "ready to do anything to silence journalists who inquire into their illegal practices."