of the Philippines the criminal justice system is - Article 2

2.2 Of the total of 26 media persons killed, twenty one (21) cases have been
filed while five (5) are still under investigation. When asked to explain the
substantial difference in the efficiency of the investigation on media men
killings vis-à-vis militant persons, Gen. Razon said that in the case of media
personnel, there are more witnesses and the police have received more
cooperation from the media.
3. Cases solved
Gen. Razon stated that the PNP deems a case solved in line with a NAPOLCOM
Resolution stating that a “case is solved” when a suspect has been identified
and charges have been filed before the prosecutor or the court, without
prejudice to further investigation. However, Gen. Razon clarified that it is not
an international definition.
In truth, the “solution efficiency” of 29% is even deceptive or misleading.As
stated in TFU’s updated report “Out of the total 45 cases filed in court, the PNP
has filed 5 cases with 8 arrested suspects who are all in jail; filed 25 cases under
preliminary investigation, filed 1 case with surrendered suspect, while the
suspects for the remaining 15 incidents are still at large and are subject of
manhunt operations.” It is not, therefore, entirely accurate that 45 cases have
already been filed in court since “25 cases [are] under preliminary
investigation.” Thus, only 20 cases have actually been filed in court; 25 cases
are only under preliminary investigation. These cases may yet be dismissed
for lack of probable cause. Of the 20 cases filed in court, the accused or suspects
have been arrested in only (6) cases. It cannot then be accurately said that the
accused in the 27 cases have been brought to justice. Indeed, with respect to the
78 cases still under “extensive investigation,” it is even doubtful whether the
perpetrators can even be identified.
When asked for the meaning of the term of “under extensive investigation,”
Gen. Razon said in each case, regular case conferences are held, more men are
assigned to investigate and the organization of special teams such as TFU.
Upon inquiry, he replied that TFU receives a monthly budget of P300,000.00.
As an incentive, each member of the unit receives P5,000.00 for every suspect
captured or case solved. Gen. Razon further testified that the PNP has not been
successful in investigating the killings of militants because the CPP/NPA has
terrorized the witnesses.
4. Reason for political killings.
Gen. Razon admitted that TFU still cannot explain the reason for the increase
in political killings. Thus, TFU fell short of its objective to “establish who is
responsible for the killings” and to determine whether there is a pattern of
serialized killings victimizing leftist activist and journalist.”
4.1 Gen. Razon refused to attribute the upsurge of political killings to the
President’s declaration of an all out war against the communist insurgents.
4.2 But he was quick to say that their records show that the killings are the
result of CPP/NPA” own purging because of “financial opportunism.” Gen.
Razon admitted that he agrees with the statement of Gen. Palparan that
organizations such as Karapatan and Bayan Muna are “fronts” of the CPP-
NPA, and that unless “we stop fooling ourselves that they are not fronts, we
will not be able to solve the insurgency problem.” He further asserted that the
NDF and Bayan Muna provide support, money, resources, and legal assistance
to the CPP/NPA.
However, when asked by Chairman Melo whether TFU has data on whom
among those killed were finance officers, Gen. Razon could point to only two
victims who were allegedly involved in financial operations.
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article 2 • February 2007 Vol. 6, No. 1