Treñas files bill seeking penalty for EJKs
Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Treñas has filed House Bill 3594 seeking to impose stiff sanctions on persons or individuals involved in extra-legal killings and forced disappearances.
Treñas, chairman of the House committee on good government and public accountability, said the bill also seeks to impose maximum penalty on the culprits and individuals proven guilty by court.
He said the Philippines has the most number of extra-judicial killings in the past decade and expressed hope that with the bill, these crimes will be significantly curbed.
Meanwhile, the local media said the bill may be used for their cause, especially that some extra-judicial killings involve members of the press.
Tourism
Meanwhile, Tourism Regional Director Edwin Trompeta said he would like the court to resolve as soon as possible the Ampatuan massacre which has tarnished the country’s image internationally.
Trompeta said the Ampatuan massacre, which marked its first year yesterday, has pictured out the Philippines as a country where gruesome killing and violence happen.
“The faster the case is resolved the better for all of us,” he said.
He added that only when the perpetrators are finally sentenced to jail and the case put to rest that the foreign visitors could be convinced that justice really works in this country.
Trompeta, however, said he is not in favor of airing the court hearings live because the judge, lawyers, and accused could not normally act because of the pressure.
He said the television can create false images, but the media should always be present in all the proceedings.*PNA
