U.S.-based Human Rights Watch is criticizing Philippine President Benigno Aquino's human rights record as he concludes his first year in office.

The group says killings and enforced disappearances have continued. It faults Mr. Aquino for failing to implement effective measures to investigate and prosecute members of the police and military who commit serious human rights violations.

The report, issued to coincide with Friday's anniversary of Mr. Aquino's inauguration, says investigations have stalled and arrest warrants against alleged perpetrators have not be executed, despite strong evidence of military involvement in rights abuses.

Human Rights Watch says Mr. Aquino has defended the use of poorly trained and supervised paramilitary forces, who have been accused of serious abuses in the battles against communist and Islamist insurgents.

Elaine Pearson, the group's director of Asia affairs, says the president's record shows “human rights have just not been his priority.”