CHR to probe series of violations on ‘right to life’

Executive director of the CHR, Jacqueline Ann de Guia, urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to probe the cases of violence against human rights, such as “the recent spate of killings involving local officials, a political supporter, and the members of the vulnerable sectors.” (File Photo: Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday condemned a series of violations against the “right to life”, vowing to conduct parallel investigations on these violent incidents.

Executive director of the CHR, Jacqueline Ann de Guia, urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to probe the cases of violence against human rights, such as “the recent spate of killings involving local officials, a political supporter, and the members of the vulnerable sectors.”

On Sunday, a supporter of the incumbent mayor of Dagupan – who was also a political aspirant reportedly running for barangay chairman in the coming local election – was gunned down by unidentified persons at the parking area of the cockpit arena in the Pangasinan Coliseum in Barangay San Miguel.

On the same day, a village chief and two other persons survived another killing attempt outside the cockpit arena in Baggao town in Cagayan province.

Recently, the CHR deployed a team to investigate the death of a barangay chief in Malabon.

“Barely days after CHR dispatched an investigation team to look into the killing of a barangay captain in Malabon, we are confronted again with a similar crime occurring in Agusan del Sur concerning the killing of a barangay captain by riding-in-tandem suspects,” de Guia said.
“As CHR conducts its parallel investigation on the cases mentioned, we hope that the Philippine National Police will probe the deaths to uncover the truth and hold (the) perpetrators accountable.”

She added that the CHR would also conduct a motu propio investigation on the alleged rape-slay case of a single mother in San Miguel, Bulacan, as well as the death of an eight-year-old child in Pasig who was reportedly the victim of “excessive force in instilling discipline.”

“The commission will work closely with local authorities to aid in solving these brazen violations of the right to life,” de Guia said.