De Lima, who said Tuesday she has accepted a post under President-elect Benigno Simeon Aquino III, can show the same grit in upholding human rights in her new post, militant umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said.
Human Rights Campaign Cd
"If De Lima brings the same grit and determination to defend human rights to the DOJ, then that would be a truly positive development, a far cry from the DOJ we have seen for the last nine years," Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said in an article posted on the Bayan website.
He noted De Lima had advanced human rights in the Philippines more than predecessors Raul Gonzalez, Agnes Devanadera and Alberto Agra combined.
Bayan added the DOJ had been used to persecute foes of the Arroyo administration.
It cited the 2006 rebellion cases against 50 people including representatives of party-list groups and activist leaders.
This resulted in the arrest and detention of the late labor leader and Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran. The Supreme Court eventually dismissed the rebellion raps. [See: Batasan 6 Timeline]
Also, Bayan said the DOJ received flak when Agra dropped charges against two principal suspects in the Ampatuan massacre but eventually reversed himself.
"De Lima’s appointment can be an opportunity to review the cases of many political prisoners who faced persecution during the Arroyo regime’s all-out war against activists. This should include the case of the Morong 43 who were arrested without a valid warrant and who were arraigned by a prosecutor from the DOJ despite the many legal defects of the arrest," Reyes said.
Bayan also voiced hopes prosecution of human rights violators can also be made a reality.
It noted how De Lima as CHR chief spearheaded the investigation of the abduction and torture of Filipino-American Melissa Roxas, the arrest and torture of the 43 health workers in Morong, Rizal, the Ampatuan massacre, and the military’s use of the “orders of battle" against militants.
"We hope that it’s not just corruption that De Lima will take on, but also the many cases of human rights abuses that continue to cry out for justice. She faces a big challenge with her new job but her track record in the CHR has gained her many supporters," Reyes said. — LBG/RSJ
