by Freddie G. Lazaro

San Juan, Ilocos Sur (23 October) -- A field commander of an army battalion had lauded the move by the national government in creating the "Melo Commission" for the all-out investigations on the reported extra-judicial killings nationwide.

Colonel Harold N. Cabreros, Commander of the Army's 50th Infantry Battalion based in Barangay Guimod, San Juan, Ilocos Sur, told that the investigating body was necessary to clear all doubts and true motives on the reported killing on the suspected militant leaders and left-leaning personalities.

"This is to identify the real perpetrators of the incidents," he said.

Cabreros suggested that the term "extra-judicial killings" would not supposedly be used on these crimes as the death sentence had already been lifted.

"These crimes were just ordinary killings, murders and homicides or depending on the circumstances of the incidents," he added.

In a related development, the authorities are presently making solid strides in the solution of the extra-judicial killings in line with the directive of President Gloria Arroyo, while the Melo Commission is quietly and methodically getting to the root of these crimes.

The Government is committed to give justice to the victims. The measures so far undertaken are proofs that the administration is not taking this issue lightly, and shall pursue justice to its deserved ends.

Instead of engaging into blame-tossing, the administration is calling all institutions to do their share in urging witnesses to come forth and support the ongoing probes.