Enforced disappearances

EDITORIAL

The recent approval on second reading of House Bill 98 or the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act should help towards the advancement of human rights in the country.

           

For so long activists, journalists, students, and other progressive individuals have fallen prey to enforced disappearances by state agents even if there was no proof that they violated any law.

           

The bill proposes to include the liability of commanding officers or equivalent senior officials of the offender for failure to prevent, discontinue, or uncover an enforced disappearance.

           

Deputy Speaker Lorenzo “Erin” R. Tañada III principal author of the bill said it’s about time there is a law that shall respond to the continuing issue of enforced and involuntary disappearances that have befallen many progressive Filipinos.

           

The proposed measure ensures the continuing character of enforced disappearance as long as the whereabouts of the disappeared person has not been determined with certainty.

           

Moreover, it guarantees the expeditious disposition of habeas corpus, amparo, and habeas data proceedings and the immediate compliance with any release order by virtue of such proceedings.

           

According to Tanada, it is unfortunate that even with this development, the Philippines is not yet a party to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances.

           

However, from an international law perspective, even without being a part of the Convention, The Philippines is still obliged to respect, protect, and fulfill the right of our citizens from being a victim of enforced disappearances,