Lunes, Agosto 24, 2015

Justice for Pamana

Is the uproar over the killing of Philippine eagle "Pamana" and strident calls for the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator uncalled for? 
      
That's the position taken by human rights groups who are saying that the government should instead go after those accused of human rights violations and ensure their conviction.
      
We say: It should not be an either/or question, of prioritizing one over the other.
      
The government should run after the killers of Pamana AND human rights violators. 
      
Human rights groups should add their voices to the calls for the arrest and conviction of the killers of Pamana because the killing of the endangered species is a violation of the law.
      
And if we live in a society where the rule of law should prevail, even the killing of a bird endemic to the country and threatened with extinction should be condemned by human rights groups.  
      
It shouldn’t be only animal rights groups and environmentalists who should view with grave concern the killing of endangered wildlife such as Pamana.
      
Human rights groups are correct in taking government to task for failing to stop impunity in the killing of political activists and crusading journalists. But maybe they too should help gather solid evidence against the perpetrators instead of merely raising a ruckus in media and in the streets. 
      
Is putting up a reward amounting to P150,000 is being offered for information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of those who shot dead Philippine Eagle Pamana unwarranted?
      
No. It’s not.  –End-


Image by: www.philstar.com


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