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Manila: The Philippine police chief, responding to mounting criticism that the government is doing little to stop the killings of journalists and left-wing activists, has threatened to fire officers who fail to prevent violence, officials said yesterday.
National police chief Oscar Calderon already has removed three police chiefs from three provinces where two union representatives and a farmer linked to an activist were killed last week, officials said.
"He issued a policy that will require chiefs of police, provincial directors and regional directors to assume responsibility in preventing killings of journalists and [activists] in their area, and if something happens, they should be able to solve it," said police spokesman, Senior Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao.
Those who do not, will be relieved of their duties pending further investigation, he said.
The move follows an unprecedented call last week by the US and six other foreign chambers of commerce in the Philippines for President Gloria Arroyo's administration to stop the killings or risk losing foreign investment and aid.
Local human rights group Karapatan said 791 people, including more than 300 left-wing activists, have died in politically motivated killings since Arroyo took power in 2001.
London-based Amnesty International has reported 51 political killings in the Philippines in the first six months of this year, compared with 66 for all of 2005.
But police say the figures are exaggerated and their records show 111 activists slain since 2001. Karapatan's figures included at least two people who turned out to be alive, and many of the victims were not affiliated with any political group, deputy director Avelino Razon said last week.
He said communist rebels were suspected in 16 killings and security forces were believed to be behind another 16 cases. A police officer was suspected in only one case, he said.
The government has rejected suggestions that it is tolerating the killings.
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