Wal-Mart, Multinationals Denounce Extrajudicial Killings in RP
Danny Chan
Non-governmental organizations have backed several multinationals, such as the Gap and Wal-Mart, and the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in calling for an end to political killings in the Philippines. The NGOs, responding to statements from executives from major American retailers, called for the Philippine government to prevent extrajudicial killings of left-wing activists and bring murderers to justice.
Canadian activists arrived in the Philippines on Nov. 16 to investigate the “alarming deterioration of human rights” across the archipelago. The nine Canadians, including lawyers, trade unionists, community leaders and human rights advocates, traveled to the country to investigate attacks on political groups, trade unions and other human rights violations.
“We are very much concerned about reports of wanton human rights abuses in the Philippines,” Luningning Alcuitas, a Filipino-Canadian attorney and coordinator of the Philippines-Canada Task Force for Human Rights, said. Beth Grayer, a trade unionist with the Canadians, added extrajudicial killings and oppression of trade unions have escalated in recent years. She noted how seven striking unionists were killed to set an example two years ago in Hacienda Luisiate at a corporate farm operated by former president Corazon Aquino’s family.
Donald Dee, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, meanwhile expressed concern over alleged political murders afflicting the nation but stressed the situation differed from recent labor-related violence.
“Our labor laws provide strong protection to both our laborers and trade unions. In fact, we have some of the most sophisticated and admired labor laws in the world,” Mr Dee said, adding the recent murder of a labor activist was “an isolated case and does not at all threaten the very foundation of our democracy.”
Mr Dee said the Philippines provides for labor grievances to be heard before the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) and the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB). He said when compared to other countries, the Philippines endeavors to let workers express any labor-related issues before a panel.
On Nov. 15, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States called for Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to end the slew of political killings. At a meeting at the Philippine embassy in the US, Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori stated the advancement of human rights and religious freedom was a necessary part of development.
Rev. Brian Canon Grieves, director of the Peace and Justice Ministries, and Rev. Dr. Fred Vergara, national missioner for Asian American Ministries, told Philippine Ambassador Willy Gaa that the American churches “are fully supporting our partner churches (in the Philippines) as they prepare to document these human rights violations.” News reports also stated Mr Grieves and Mr Vergara were assured by Kristie Kenney, the American ambassador to the Philippines, that she was “gravely concerned about the issue and has been very direct in expressing her concern to the Philippine government.”
Time magazine also weighed in on the issue. In an essay in its Nov. 27 Asian edition, the newsmagazine reported that the southern island of Mindanao was operating in lawlessness. Killers roamed at large and local reporters “were braving multiple death threats.” The essay described how most victims are left-wing activists who have been labeled “enemies of the state” by military and government officials. The practice creates a culture of impunity for political killings, it noted.
“Poverty, corruption and joblessness still plague the Philippines. Now the country must endure a Marcos-style dirty war too. Is it any surprise many Filipinos feel as if their nation is hurtling backwards?” the essay concluded.
On Nov. 13, the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce called on the Macapagal-Arroyo administration to end the country’s political killings or risk losing foreign aid and investment. The organization, representing business interests in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Europe, Japan and South Korea, urged the Melo Commission “to hasten the investigation and … to bring an end to a serious blemish on the country’s national image, which could impact negatively on future foreign investment and foreign economic assistance.”
“Such violence has no place in a modern democratic state,” the chambers said in a joint statement. “For the sake of justice and to deter continued killings, these murders should be investigated thoroughly and those found responsible punished under the law.” The JFC estimates approximately $8.5 billion in foreign direct investment could flow into the Philippines over the next four years, creating 2.9 million jobs while improving the country’s investment climate, labor quality and infrastructure.
The JFC’s statement came days after seven major American apparel companies issued a joint letter to Mrs Macapagal-Arroyo calling on her to bring political assassinations to an end. Officials from the Gap, Polo Ralph Lauren, Wal-Mart, Liz Claiborne, American Eagle Outfitters, Jones Apparel Group and Phillips Van Heusen called on the president to protect labor and human rights following the violent suppression of striking workers in September at the Cavite Export Processing Zone near Manila.
The multinationals, which purchase apparel from the Philippines, moreover expressed concern over the murder of Bishop Alberto Ramento in October and urged Malacañang to “take proactive measures to ensure the physical safety” of workers.
The human rights organization Karapatan lists 765 victims of political violence since Mrs Macapagal-Arroyo’s ascension to the presidency in 2001. A report from Human Rights Watch in September revealed public distrust of the government’s handling of the murders and widespread fear among witnesses and victims’ families. Human rights organizations have boycotted the Melo Commission set up to investigate extrajudicial killings, questioning its neutrality and impartiality.
