of the Philippines the criminal justice system is - Article 2

uniformed policemen, reportedly from Balanga Police Station,
accompanied by military personnel. No adequate investigation
is known to have been conducted into these allegations.
8. Activist Elena Mendiola (a.k.a. Baby) and her partner Ricardo
Balauag were killed on 10 May 2006 in Barangay Garit, Echague,
Isabela. Elena had survived an earlier attempt on 10 March 2006,
after which she was not afforded any protection by the authorities.
The lack of concern for her security, despite her life obviously
being in danger, cost her and her partner their lives.
These are a few among the extraordinarily large number of
killings that have been documented by the AHRC and other groups
in recent times. Together they speak to a total failure of the
criminal investigation, witness protection and policing system
of the Philippines when it comes to the lives of human rights
defenders and social activists.
The Witness Protection Security and Benefit Act (6981) does
not appear to be operative at all. Nor are we aware of any efforts
made by the police to recommend that persons at risk be
recommended to the Department of Justice as beneficiaries
under this law.
Over a month since Task Force Usig was created there is no
evidence of any substantial progress in its work. No results of its
findings or progress of its investigations have been made public,
in order that concerned persons in the Philippines and abroad
be able to discuss its work and engage the government on the
basis of recommendations given by the task force.
The Asian Human Rights Commission therefore urges you as
the new chief of the Philippine National Police to exhaust all
possible means to prevent further killings and place the
investigations of earlier incidents as your foremost priority. We
call upon you to make a public commitment to the victims, their
families and witnesses in these cases. It is not sufficient to say
that simply addressing the unrelenting killings is a part of your
agenda: it must be at the TOP of your agenda. Perpetrators must
be identified, arrested and prosecuted. Witnesses and families
must be protected. The killings must stop.
The credibility and efficiency of your leadership and that of
the Philippine National Police, not to mention your country’s
reputation internationally, rests upon your response to these
killings. We sincerely hope that you will take your duty in this
regard with the utmost seriousness and look forward to your firm
action accordingly.
Yours sincerely
Basil Fernando
Executive Director
Asian Human Rights Commission, Hong Kong
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