MANILA.- The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said yesterday it had perfected a database that would help the government fast-track its efforts to solve the extrajudicial killings in the country.

Called the "Martus" -- a Greek word for witness - database, the web-based system is expected to assist the CHR in accurately collecting and collating information from its 15 regional offices about the murders.

According to Ed Diansuy, CHR spokesperson, it will also allow for an "express" prosecution and trial of cases as the agency will have quick access to data for analysis and immediate referral to the Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC).

Diansuy said the CHR had already shared the database with the PHRC.

The CHR came up with the electronic database about two years ago with the assistance of the Asia Foundation, which provided the information system, Diansuy said.

"It has already been fine-tuned. It now provides end-users [CHR personnel] a more detailed information on certain incidents," he explained.

He said such a development would prove to the public that the government was not sitting on the reported extrajudicial killings.

The human rights group Karapatan has accused security forces of killing more than 800 political activists since President Macapagal-Arroyo took office in 2001. A national daily listed 296 militants and 50 journalists killed during the period.