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President Arroyo defends rights record in Wellington

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, center left, receives a Maori welcome on her arrival at Government House in Wellington, New Zealand, yesterday. PHOTO: AP

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo defended her record on human rights during a visit yesterday to New Zealand, as a lone activist in a steel cage outside parliament called her the "worst dictator" in the troubled nation's history.

Arroyo, speaking after talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, said her country was in "a fight to turn around a history of political violence and retribution."

She said recent convictions and arrests of people accused of extra-judicial killings and upcoming courts-martial for military officers were signs of progress.

Her government welcomes assistance from New Zealand and other nations in helping the Philippines "erase this cycle of violence forever," she said.

When Clark visited the Philippines in January, Arroyo asked her for technical assistance over the killings and cooperation between their respective human rights commissions.

Clark said the New Zealand Human Rights Commission would help the Philippine agency develop plans for human rights education for the Philippine police and military.

"We have had 14 presidents ... and Mrs. Arroyo so far is the worst of them all for being a dictator and totalitarian ruler."

-- Dennis Maga, human rights protester

The two leaders watched as police chiefs from the two nations signed a law enforcement cooperation agreement to combat transnational crimes, including drug and people trafficking, money laundering and terrorism.

Conservation officials also signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in protecting and conserving protected natural areas.

Lone protester Dennis Maga said from his steel cage on parliament's lawn that he was protesting the "extra-judicial killings in our country and the political persecution of progressive labor representatives."

"We have had 14 presidents ... and Mrs. Arroyo so far is the worst of them all for being a dictator and totalitarian ruler," said Maga, who said he was protesting the arrest of Philippine lawmaker Crispin Beltran on sedition charges.

Arroyo said the arrest of Congressman Beltran "was done with due process and in accordance with Philippines jurisprudence."
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