Commentary: Gov’t leaves no stone unturned in solving political killings
By Aurora J. Casimpan
Tacloban City (14 November) -- Aware of the dire consequences on the economy should the killings continue, the government has taken aggressive steps for its stoppage. Malacañang Spokesperson Secretary Ignacio Bunye has reiterated the call for all those who have knowledge of the killings to help out in the resolution of the cases.
The President has instructed to "leave no stone unturned" in solving the political killings hence the joint efforts of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to solve the killings. The President has even sought the help of the European Community to aid in the investigation of the killings.
So far, inroads have been achieved by the probe body in its investigation. It is believed however, that there is campaign to undermine the government’s efforts towards the ultimate solution of the killings.
The Joint Foreign Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines has issued a statement addressed to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to stop the political killings or suffer the consequence of the pulling out of businesses, investments or simply the stoppage of aid from its members. According to the foreign business groups, violence is a bane to business and that it has no place in a democratic state.
Though appreciative of the President’s creation of the Melo Commission tasked to investigate the killings, the group wants the probe body to step up with its work and hasten the end of the killings. They said that unless the killings are stopped, it could impact negatively on the future of foreign economic assistance and investments.
Should the country achieve a peaceful investment climate coupled with labor quality and improved infrastructure, an estimated $8.5 billion in direct investment could flow into the economy translating into employment of 2.9 million Filipinos. (PIA-8) [top]
