Philippine soldiers have murdered hundreds of left-wing activists since 2001 and their commanding officers should be held responsible, the head of an inquiry commission said today.
Jose Melo, a retired Supreme Court justice, said that "elements in the military" were behind the fatal shooting of hundreds of left-wing activists, community workers and farmers.
"It's a small group in the military who are doing these things with the tolerance of some commanders, but it is not the policy of the entire armed forces of the Philippines," he said.
The military, which has a chequered history of getting involved in politics, said it was aware that some soldiers were involved in the killings and vowed that those responsible would be dealt with.
Disgruntled officers have been involved in more than a dozen coup plots since the overthrow of military-backed dictator Ferdinand Mercos in 1986.
Current President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo came to power in 2001 when the military chief withdrew support for her predecessor Joseph Estrada, now on trial for plunder.
Ms Arroyo appointed Mr Melo to lead an inquiry into the murders last year after rights groups, including Amnesty International, said the series of killings of political activists could be linked to some members of the security forces.
Mr Melo, who said he would present his report to Ms Arroyo later today, recommended that commanding officers face military tribunals for extrajudicial killings in their areas.
But left-wing groups said the report was a whitewash.