RP HUMAN RIGHTS, TOUGH SELL ON CAPITOL HILL

DC is abuzz with talks of expanding congressional scrutiny over the Philippines’ human rights record. The Senate appropriations committee passed late last month the 2008 foreign operations bill, setting aside $17.3 billion for economic assistance to various countries. It reportedly conditioned US aid to the Philippines on President Arroyo’s curbing extra-judicial killings, particularly those allegedly perpetrated by the police and military.

I covered the Senate sub-committee on East Asia and Pacific Affairs hearing last March. Filipino church leaders and human rights activists painted a bleak picture of human rights in the Philippines; over 800 people have fallen victim to political killings in the six years President Arroyo has been in office.

America gave over $200 million to the Philippines last year, mainly through the USAID – much smaller to what she used to get when the US still had Clark and Subic. Money is not the issue. Malacanang has already declared as much.

Also, the Philippine military stands to receive about $30 million in Foreign Military Funding (FMF); the total could be more if we add Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and the International Military Education & Training (IMET). There are no more “big ticket” items (e.g., refurbished Hueys or those 77-foot PCFs) in the pipeline. Most of the money will probably go to infantry weapons, night-vision equipment, radios, spares, etc. Basic stuff that soldiers need and the generals want. And everybody knows how PGMA is beholden to the army. Soldiers could get restive.

But what worries the Embassy people here – I’m guessing they’re just parroting concerns in Manila – is the deteriorating international image of the Philippines. After all, isn’t it a very Filipino trait that we are more concerned about how other people see us? Baka kung ano isipin sa atin is a very basic Filipino insecurity.

Well, PGMA has enough reason to worry, if what I hear is right. Complaints of human rights abuses back home are ringing ever more loudly on Capitol Hill. The abduction of Jonas Burgos, indications of complicity by security forces – and worse, the appearance of official stonewalling – will only weaken the government’s assertion it is acting resolutely to stop the killings.

Senators Barbara Boxer, who presided over that March hearing, Richard Lugar (R-Indiana) and the influential Patrick Leahy of Vermont (chairman, justice committee) are reportedly among those losing patience with PGMA. She’s not faring any better in the House. Ironically, these disgruntled solons are the same people pushing for the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill. I heard they just want to push the bill for a floor vote, before training their guns on the human rights issue.

Sadly I think, PGMA still doesn't get it. She still believes that "communist propaganda" is working better than her own substantial machinery. Everybody knows there's an insurgency war, there's a war against terror and she must fight off plots, Right and Left. President Arroyo refuses to see what is plainly in front of her, opts to coddle those accused of orchestrating the killings, and is either too timid or scared to act. It boils down to her recurring handicap -- lack of credibility.

The Democrats are in power and they don’t look too kindly on human rights violators as Republicans may be.