Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 3

Written Answers. - Killings in the Philippines.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

61 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has written to the President of the Philippines to request a thorough and impartial investigation into the killings of two active trade unionists, namely, Edilberto and Haydee Bensen, and their ten year old daughter in Murcia, Philippines by armed men, believed to be soldiers, on 28 August 1991.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The circumstances of the killings in the Philippines of the three individuals referred to by the Deputy are a matter of deep concern to international human rights groups including Amnesty International. These concerns have been taken up with the Philippine authorities.

In addition, Ireland and our partners in the Community have a regular dialogue with the countries of the Association of South Eastern Asian Nations (ASEAN) which includes the Philippines. This dialogue has enabled Ireland to convey our concerns on the question of human rights abuses in the region.