Philippine leader warns military anew against political killings

Arroyo also assured the international community that her government was taking serious steps to stop the spate of extra-judicial killings in the country and to prosecute suspects.

"We deplore any and all killings of political activists and journalists," she told the start of an international human rights workshop in Manila.

"We have told our military in no uncertain terms that if there are rogue elements, they must be brought to justice," she said. "Our nation has an unfortunate history of political violence by those on the left and the right." 

"We hope to break that cycle once and for all," she added. "No one should have to die fighting for speaking out for their political beliefs." 

Human rights groups have blamed government security forces, especially the military, for most of the extra-judicial killings, forced disappearances and other human rights abuses under the Arroyo administration.

According to human rights watchdog Karapatan, nearly 900 people have become victims of extra-judicial killings in the Philippines since Arroyo became president in January 2001.

Most of the victims are political, human rights, labour and leftist activists.

Some 200 have also disappeared in the same period, many of whom are feared to have also been executed. Some are believed to be still alive, but detained illegally by the military and subjected to torture.

Arroyo said 76 criminal cases on political killings were under trial, while 33 are being prepared for prosecution. She added that six persons, including a former policeman and a former soldier, have been convicted.

International human rights groups and some foreign governments have condemned the string of attacks in the Philippines. They have also criticised the Philippine government's failure to stop the killings, abductions and other abuses.//DPA