Special investigator Jesus Cañete of the Commission on Human Rights said the quick action of the Supreme Court in creating special courts to try unexplained killings in the country will declog the courts of pending cases.

It is "one step forward," he said.

The creation of the special courts was in line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's measures against the culture of violence in the country, government announcements have said.

Arroyo had said that she is also looking into other measures against unexplained killings, such as the fielding of composite investigation teams involving the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and the CHR.

The witness protection program will be beefed up while special prosecutors will be assigned to the unresolved cases.

Meanwhile, Cañete also commended the signing into law of the Human Security Act of 2007 or R.A. No. 9372, better known as the anti-terrorism bill that will give legal muscle to the government's war against terrorism.

Cañete said the law is a good contribution of the country to the global campaign against terrorism.

CHR, on the other hand, is pushing for a bill that will give prosecutory powers to the commission, he added.

This will ensure a fair and impartial handling of cases, particularly in those where respondents are key government officials, he said.

He noted a decrease in the number of complaints brought to CHR involving military and police personnel as respondents in the province.

Cañete attributed this to better awareness among law enforcers on human rights issues. "They are more aware now, more educated and morally upright," he said.*RG

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