EU warns Manila of mounting concern over killings

MANILA, June 29 (Reuters) International concern is mounting over the continued disappearance and murder of activists and journalists in the Philippines, the European Union said today, warning of a potential trade and investment backlash.

Alistair MacDonald, Europe's ambassador to Manila, said the Philippines' international image was at risk as leftist leaders continue to be gunned down and no one is prosecuted for the murders.

A United Nations report has said the military was responsible for many of the hundreds of murders.

''There is a great deal to be done in order to make concrete progress in prosecuting these killers,'' MacDonald told a news conference at the presidential palace.

''There is clearly growing international concern about this question and it would be imperative for the Philippines to address it effectively and to stop the killings and bring the perpetrators to justice.'' A local human rights group has said more than 800 people have been killed since President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo came to power in 2001. A UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings said in February the military was responsible for many of the deaths.

Human Rights Watch, a U.S.-based group, said on Thursday that there was strong evidence of a ''dirty war'' by the armed forces against leftist activists and it said the government's failure to prosecute anyone was creating a climate of impunity.

The armed forces denied the allegations. The military, which has been pursuing an ''all out war'' against communist rebels called the New People's Army (NPA), has said it is investigating 94 cases of suspected unlawful executions.

MacDonald said the Philippines had to improve its image in the international community to be able to attract more investments from abroad and avoid being lumped into the ''club of countries that are not very well respected''.

''There are countries around the world, where quite frankly the human rights situation in general is much worse,'' he said without naming any state.

''I think the Philippines is still far from being in such a club.

But, the fact remains that these killings are clearly taking place in large numbers.'' MacDonald said the 27-member European Union was willing to provide training, technical expertise and share its experiences and best practices in dealing with rights issues to strengthen criminal justice and legal structures in the Philippines.

''Foreign advisers would not bring a magic solution to the problem,'' MacDonald said. ''Bringing these killings to an end, and bringing the perpetrators to justice, is the sole responsibility of the Philippine government.'' REUTERS SLD ND1336