Members of  civil society organizations in conflict-affected areas in North Cotabato in Mindanao participated in  a study session on torture documentation and reporting organized by the Balay Rehabilitation Center on July 27, 2016.

1. 1.      National context 

• The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines prohibits the use of the death penalty by stating ‘the death penalty shall not be imposed unless for compelling reasons involving heinous crimes, the Congress hereafter provides for it.  Any death penalty already imposed shall be reduced to reclusion perpetua’.[1]

 

Balay stands alongside martial law victims and activists against the burial of the late president Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LnMB). The LnMB is a national shrine meant to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives and brought honor to our country. It is meant to be the final resting place of dignified soldiers, heroes and martyrs. The burial of Ferdinand Marcos will defeat the very essence of LnMB.

The wanton  disregard for law, rising criminality, terrorism and insurgency has created in the public mind  an impression of a chaotic and dangerous society. Reports about murder and other crimes – many of which are related to drug use and abuse -  have become staple news that tend to jar one’s senses, resulting either to a feeling of helplessness or to utter loss of trust on authorities to protect the right of citizens against lawless violence.