Government taking steps to stop rights violations, says Justice Secretary Leila de Lima | Sun.Star.

September 26, 2012

MANILA — Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told a group of human rights watchdogs that had been instrumental in cutting United States military aid to the Philippines that the Aquino administration has taken steps to reduce cases of extrajudicial killings and related violations.

In a meeting on Tuesday at the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C., De Lima said the government has not used violence, intimidation or threats to curtail rights of individuals.

Militants have since accused the government’s counter-insurgency program Oplan Bayanihan of killing members of leftist organizations but the military claimed otherwise, saying the program is centered on resolving conflicts through peace process and community work.

“This Aquino administration can honestly and sincerely say this because we absolutely have nothing to hide,” said de Lima, former chair of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

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