Original Source: www.gmanetwork.com
Amid the chill of a November morning, a sea of passionate activists gathered outside the Philippine House of Representatives, their fervent chants piercing the air as they protested the proposed “EJK bill,” which seeks to categorize extrajudicial killings (EJKs) by government authorities as heinous crimes. Human rights group, Karapatan, recognized this legislative effort as a potential shift in acknowledging state accountability but urged that it aligns with existing domestic and international human rights agreements.
The movement stems from a backdrop of rising extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, especially during the administrations of Arroyo and Duterte. The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has been criticized for fueling a narrative that normalizes these acts under the guise of military and police operations. Activists, facing severe repercussions for dissent, have called for accountability and justice, reflecting a moral struggle against systemic violence.
Karapatan’s call echoes the need for stronger safeguards against state-sponsored violence as they highlight the risks posed by current proposals that might exempt officials from accountability. Their demand extends not just for justice, but for a radical change in policies that have historically condoned grave human rights violations and worsened the climate of impunity in the Philippines. Without addressing the command responsibility of authorities, the legislation risks becoming a mere formality rather than an instrument for justice.
