CHILD RIGHTS NGOs CALL FOR JUSTICE FOR CHILD-VICTIM OF PARANAQUE SHOOT-OUT

Manila, Philippines,08 December 2008 - SALINLAHI Alliance for Children’s Concerns and its member-organizations led by the Children’s Rehabilitation Center expressed outrage over the killing of Alyanna de Vera, 7 years old and her father after the Philippine National Police engaged alleged robbers in a shootout in Paranaque yesterday.  “We extend our condolences with Alyanna’s mother and join her in her call for justice for the death of her loved ones,” said Alphonse Rivera, spokesperson of SALINLAHI, an umbrella organization of child rights and welfare NGOs.

 Rivera said that this news is particularly distressing especially since the human rights community will commemorate the 60^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights on December 10.  “It is indeed alarming to note that our children are not safe from human rights violations.  Whether they are in the countrsides or in the cities, State forces should always keep in mind the respect for human life, especially children.”

 This incident is made doubly significant as GWP Representative Luz Ilagan today stands up in Congress to deliver her privilege speech calling for the respect of children’s human rights. Rep. Luz Ilagan puts in focus human rights violations committed by state armed forces against children over the past seven (7) years of the Arroyo administration, amidst the backdrop of this very alarming incident in Paranaque City last Saturday .

 Rivera also added that SALINLAHI hopes that the case will not end up like other cases of children whose rights have been violated where the state forces do not acknowledge accountability over their actions.  “In many instances, such cases end up with an excuse that it is either a legitimate operation or that the victim is unfortunately part of collateral damage.  This has always been the military’s excuse even prior to proper investigations which later prove that they should be made accountable.  Maybe the PNP will be human enough to admit and accept accountability should investigations show that they are culpable,” Rivera said.

 The Children’s Rehabilitation Center , meanwhile also joins the family’s call for an immediate and impartial investigation of the incident.  Ma. Esmeralda Macaspac, Executive Director of the NGO providing psycho-social help for children-victims of human rights violations and their families, said that the truth is very important for the surviving relatives to cope with the violent death of loved ones.  “Knowing the truth means one step closer to gaining justice and gaining justice a big leap to healing.” ###