Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - A top official of the US Department of State has expressed serious concern over extrajudicial killings involving security forces in the Philippines.

But Kurt Campbell, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, told last week's hearing of the US House of Representatives subcommittee on terrorism, non-proliferation and trade that "the pace of killings has declined.¿

Campbell noted, however, that "trying and convicting perpetrators remains an ongoing challenge¿ for Philippine authorities.

He noted that "over the past years, some members of the security forces have been involved in politically motivated murders.¿

"As you are aware, the US Congress has withheld US$3 million in foreign military financing to the Philippines pending progress toward accountability regarding these killings,¿ Campbell said in his testimony that was posted on the website of the US Embassy in Manila.

Citing Washington's "longstanding advocacy for human rights and specifically the concerns we have had about extrajudicial killings,¿ Campbell said the United States was providing support to the Philippines through the Asia Foundation "to help build capacity and streamline these cases which would help further advance accountability.¿

"President Aquino, whose father was the victim of the country's most infamous extrajudicial killing, has spoken publicly on the issue. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has shown herself to be a long-time, ardent advocate for human rights,¿ he said.

During the February 7 congressional hearing, Campbell also reported that the Philippines "acknowledges issues that weaken our trade relationship and impede equitable, broad-based economic growth for Filipinos.¿

"Primary among these is corruption, though there is reason to be optimistic as President Aquino's campaign to root out corruption is beginning to take hold through public disclosure of violations, placing new leadership in oversight institutions, public antagonism to cronyism and through nascent initiatives that-if implemented effectively-offer the opportunity for gradual but effective change,¿ he said.

Campbell said that "as one of the eight founding governments of the Open Government Partnership launched last September in New York, the Aquino government is committed to a global effort for more transparent, effective and accountable governance with institutions that empower citizens and are responsive to their aspirations.¿

"If President Aquino and his administration remain committed on this track, I firmly believe the Philippines can continue to improve its global standing, its ranking in the various indices of corruption and its chances of attracting job-creating investment by American and international companies,¿ he said.

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