France calls on RP to act on political killings

France yesterday joined calls for President Arroyo’s government to do more to stop a spate of political killings.

"Its important to decrease the level of violence," said Embassy Charge dAffaires Bernard Regnauld Fabre.

"I can speak as a diplomat living in Manila and I can see what the newspapers are reporting every day and there are clearly disappearances in the Philippines. Disappearances are not something acceptable in the democratic society," Fabre said on the sidelines of a United Nations Convention Against Disappearances

"There are killings as well (and) journalists are one of (the victims). It is a very important thing to assure them of their ability to work," he added.

Leftist groups have accused the government of being behind a string of killings and disappearances, saying that at least 104 of their members have been killed since Arroyo came to power in 2001. International press watchdog groups meanwhile have criticized President Arroyo for failing to give adequate protection to journalists following the murder of at least four this year. Fabre however said he was optimistic that the killings would be curbed after Arroyo created a commission to look into political murders. — AFP