Strasbourg, 21/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - In a resolution common to the EPP, S&D, ALDE, Greens/EFA, ECR and EFD groups, adopted on Thursday 21 January during the Strasbourg plenary, the European Parliament expresses its concern regarding political violence in the Philippines. Condemning the killings in Maguindanao province on 23 November 2009, it welcomes the response of the Philippines government to the massacre whilst deploring the delays incurred in the investigation which, it stresses, should be comprehensive and independent and followed by effective prosecutions, including of the members of the security forces suspected of involvement. The Parliament calls for urgent measures to protect all witnesses, judges, lawyers and prosecutors involved in the investigation and trials. Given the political violence that is destabilising the country, the Parliament invites the Philippines government to step up efforts to eliminate instances of political violence in order to safeguard the future of democracy in the Philippines. Manila is, in particular, called upon to take decisive measures to put an end to the extrajudicial killings and disappearances, and to release all disappeared persons who are still in captivity. The Philippines government is called upon to ratify the UN Convention on Forces Disappearances, and to act decisively to stop all private and local funding of police and military auxiliary groups and to disband paramilitary forces and local militias. Finally, the Parliament expresses its concern regarding the state of emergency declared by Gloria Arroyo, President of the Philippines. (E.H./transl.jl)