Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday urged the families of the activists who were killed in Calabarzon to have faith in the ability of the government to dispense justice.
Guevarra says the Department of Justice will carry out reasonable efforts to determine the truth and circumstances that resulted in the death of the activists during simultaneous police operations last month.
This came after Guevarra on Wednesday met with the families of some of those who were killed in Calabarzon and the wife of slain labor leader Dandy Miguel.
During the meeting, Guevarra said the families expressed their deep sorrow over the violent death of their loved ones and their hope that justice would be done.
“The justice secretary explained to them how the special investigation under AO 35 would proceed and emphasized that much would depend on the willingness to cooperate of all parties concerned,” Guevarra said.
“Lastly, the justice secretary assured the victims’ families that all reasonable efforts shall be exerted to find out the truth and asked them to trust the integrity of the AO 35 mechanism and its capability to dispense justice.”
Under the AO 35 mechanism, prosecutors will lead a team of investigators from law enforcement agencies to conduct the probe.
Renato Reyes Jr., secretary general of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan who accompanied the group to the DOJ, said they found the meeting “very encouraging” because the investigation process and the participation of witnesses were clarified.
“The survivors and witnesses also expressed fear for their safety as their communities are militarized. This should be addressed in the course of the investigation,” he added.
Miguel, vice chairman of Pamantik-Kilusang Mayo Uno, was shot dead on March 28 in Laguna.
He was among those who filed complaints before the Commission on Human Rights over the deaths of nine activists after police operatives implemented search warrants for illegal possession of firearms and explosives in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Rizal on March 7.