Rights group hit Imelda visit

“A macabre meeting of plunderers and rights violators”

By SELDA
January 24, 2014

QUEZON CITY – Ex-political detainees group SELDA (Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto) called the visit of former First Lady Imelda Marcos to former Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo a “macabre meeting of plunderers and rights violators.”

“Adding twist to their unremorseful plunder of the nation’s coffers was a prison visit by the widow of the former martial law dictator president Ferdinand Marcos. Peculiarly, in both cases, the public similarly tagged them as conjugal partners of their respective husbands in raiding the wealth of the nation,” said SELDA chairperson Marie Hilao-Enriquez.

“What a morbid and macabre twist of events,” she added, as she assailed the continuing soft handling of the state on both accused plunderers. “They call the supposed imprisonment of GMA unfair treatment, when in fact they are actually both coddled by the state and the plunder cases against them seem to go nowhere. While they remain untouched, victims of torture, illegal arrest and detention, massacres and other atrocities of both the Arroyo regime and Marcos dictatorial regime have not been given any justice. Matial law victims are still suffering so much in their advanced years, and dying one by one, as the purported law that seeks to recognize the martial law victims’ sufferings is not being implemented, “ Enriquez said.

Enriquez said both Imelda and Arroyo enjoy freedom from accountability from their crimes of plunder and human rights violations against the people.

“This certainly sends an alarming message that impunity will go on, as what is happening now,” she said.

“Martial Law victims are waiting every single day for justice and recognition, while political prisoners who struggle for their rights rot in dinghy, subhuman prison cells, plunderers and human rights violators are being treated like queens in the Palace,” said Enriquez.

On February 25, 28th anniversary of the EDSA People Power I uprising, RA 10368 or the Human Rights Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 will be a year old after Pres. BS Aquino signed it into law.

“Sadly and infuriatingly, however, it has yet to be implemented up to now. The law is gathering dust by now, but we have not seen any light of day as to the formation of the claims board. Meanwhile, Imelda and children are simply taking strolls at the VMMC and Congress,” Enriquez said.

The Human Rights Victims Claims Board, which shall be composed of nine members, will draw up the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the reparation and recognition of martial law victims.

Enriquez then blamed the Aquino government “for letting these plunderers and rights violators off the hook.”