OPAPP creates Task Force Kasangga
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) is in the process of creating an inter-agency Quick Response Mechanism for Human rights and International Humanitarian Law violations, called Task force Kasangga.
Asst. Secretary and Regional Peace Process Convenor Dr. Raul Banias said the efforts along peace addressing human rights violations in all levels, is part of the peace and development agenda of the Arroyo administration.
Banias said although reports would show that cases of human rights violations in the region are not that alarming compared with other places, there is still the need to comprise a group that can effectively document cases for immediate action.
OPAPP Area Coordinator for Regions 6-7 Sanny Patron said Task Force Kasangga is particularly and primarily tasked to address "serious human rights violations" committed against the vulnerable sectors in society.
Patron said these vulnerable sectors include children, women, indigenous people and other sectors, like political activists, church leaders, military and police officers and journalists.
The two-day seminar on the formation of Task Force Kasangga is held April 8-9 at the Grand Hotel in Iloilo City, facilitated by OPAPP, the office of the Presidential Assistant for Regional Development, and participated in by member-agencies of the KALAHI-Convergence Group.
The participants are the identified members of the Task Force, who will be equipped with knowledge and Skills on Human Rights, and on Documentation and Monitoring of Human Rights violations.
They will also be given the current situation, initiatives and insights on Human Rights and International Human Rights violations in the region, before they sit down and draft plans of actions to operationalize the task force.
Western Visayas is among the three priority areas to organize Task Force Kasangga. The other two are Eastern Visayas and Bicol region. (PIA6/ESS)