Political Killings

A total of 601 have been victims of political killings from the time Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed the Philippine presidency in 2001 up to May 20, 2006 according to Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights). Of this number, 258 belonged to cause-oriented organizations and the rest were civilians who had been accused of being active in or supporting the people's democratic movement. Bayan Muna (The People First) partylist is the hardest hit with 94 of its members killed by elements from the military, police, para-military units or hired killers. The Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) partlist has lost 21 if its coordinators and members. A total of 68 women have been summarily executed, 35 of whom were organized mostly under GABRIELA with three from the Gabriela Women's Partlist (GWP). The killings are allegedly part of its Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL), a national program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines wih full knowledge and approval of its Commander-in-Chief Gloria Arroyo. It includes those from the democratic movements as targets for assassination and summary execution. In 2006 alone, there are already 70 victims. Whether GMA has something to do with these killings or not, the fact of the matter is, it is her utmost duty and obligation to stop such a vicious cycle from happening.