Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I had the pleasure of hearing Congressman Colmenares yesterday in a meeting in Montreal. We may not be aware of the extent to which we have an authentic hero in our presence. It's one thing to criticize, but to do so at personal risk, as he has done, where his own party is at the forefront of combatting corruption, abuse, and impunity, is a heroic accomplishment. I am delighted that you are with us.
I should mention that yesterday he spoke about the importance of our having a delegation go to the Philippines and the impact it would have. I want to reiterate that as well. Also, we had with us Reverend Fryday, who spoke about a petition campaign that they are going to organize. They want to have MPs from all parties table petitions in the House about what is happening in the Philippines.
I want to address one related point. You described yesterday and again today the pattern of extrajudicial killings and disappearances. You described enforced and involuntary disappearances, and the culture of impunity. I have some questions in that regard.
What has been the impact, if any, of the adoption by the Philippine Supreme Court of writs of amparo or writs of habeas data with regard to these victims? How many applications have been filed? Have there been successful remedies given?
There had been a request that the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances make a visit to the Philippines. What's the status of that invitation? I know it came up during the periodic review, and some states endorsed it. Where do we stand on that point?