Exploratory talks on enhancing
 HRights monitoring underway

 PEACE advocates in Bohol are now exploring possibilities of enhancing its capabilities as sees a tie up with a leading human rights center.

 In fact, in January, exploratory talks with the Human Rights Center of the Ateneo Law School would be a perfect opportunity to level with and find areas of common interests where we can complement each other, said Fr. Felix Warli Salise of the Local Peace Forum representing Bishop Leonardo Medroso.  

Local Monitoring Board coordinator Romeo Teruel said the proposal to establish a multi-sectoral quick reaction team (MSQRT) to address Extra Legal Killings (ELK) and Enforced Disappearances (ED) in Bohol is a welcome development for enhancing local capabilities despite a present mechanism for monitoring human rights cases here.

Concerned about the irritating allegation of human rights violations especially caused by the conflict between the government forces and the Communist Party of the Philippines National Democratic Front New People’s Army, local authorities and peace advocates proposed the establishment of a Local Monitoring Board (LMB).

 The LMB is the local monitoring mechanism, which does the tasks of the Joint Monitoring Committee organized to oversee the implementation and monitor compliance of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), Executive Order no. 22 by Governor Erico Aumentado showed.

 Upon the establishment of the LMB, the governor also ordered the setting up of local monitoring centers on CARHRIHL in at least three towns in Bohol.

 Aumentado pointed out that the campaign and promotion of the respect for human rights is and effective instrument in achieving a long and lasting peace.

 Despite all these milestones, Teruel said the proposal can help Bohol in capacity building trainings on human rights mainstreaming, accessing legal remedies, documentation and investigation to provide immediate and effective aid to victims of EJK and ED.

 The move to put up MSQRTS came as EJK and ED have been reported all throughout the country.

 In response to the need to look for ways to address the problem at the local levels, facilitate immediate action and cooperation among government agencies, civil society groups in the field of documentation, investigation, resolution and prevention, explained Ma. Krizna Gomez, MQSRT program Coordinator. (racPIABohol)