The Commission on Human Rights is moving ahead with its investigation into the death of two activists who were killed in a shootout in Albay as they supposedly “nanlaban” (fought back) against policemen.
“CHR is interested in ferreting out the truth after accounts said the two victims claimed to be unarmed during the incident, and that one of the victims, Jaymar Palero, was said to have signs of torture,” spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said.
The Commission is also conducting a motu proprio investigation into the killing of transgender woman Cindy Jones Torres, 39, who was stabbed multiple times in Guiguinto, Bulacan by a man who was allegedly borrowing money from her.
“The case of Cindy Jones as well as other similar instances of reprehensible and senseless acts of violence stresses the harsh realities faced by the LGBTQI community, who are hate-motivated violence even in present-day society,” de Guia said.
She added that through CHR’s office in Region V, the commission has already been in touch with the chief of police of Guinobatan, who was since relieved of his post following the incident. Statements from the victims’ family have also been gathered, de Guia said.
“Emergency cash assistance has also been extended (to the victims’ families) to facilitate the autopsy of the remains of Jaymar and probe into the allegations of torture,” she added.
Based on reports, Palero, 22, and Marlon Napire, 40, were caught by roving police spray-painting a protest slogan last June 26 in Guinobatan, Albay, hours before President Rodrigo Duterte’s final State of the Nation Address.
“Continuous attacks and deaths of activists remain to be a cause of concern for CHR. These incidents have repercussions on the people’s exercise of freedom of expression, and right to raise complaints and petition action from government without fear of punishment or reprisals. Arbitrary killing is also clear assault to a person’s right to life,” De Guia said.
“We welcome the action of the Department of Justice authorizing the National Bureau of Investigation to also investigate these deaths. At the same time, we call on the government to move on its commitment to uphold the rights of all, including even those who express protests against government policies and actions,” she added.
“Dissent, after all, is part of a thriving democracy, which ought to be respected. CHR echoes its call to put an end to these killings and the prevailing climate impunity. We must assert the rule of law at all times in protection of the rights of all people. #ItigilAngPatayan,” De Guia said.
Meanwhile, as the country’s Gender Ombud, de Guia condemned all forms of gender-based violence directed toward transgender individuals and other people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).
“We strongly echo CHR’s call for better protection of the LGBTQI community through the enactment of the SOGIE Equality Bill, which is envisioned to provide legal mechanisms to hold to account perpetrators of gender-based discrimination and violence,” she said.
De Guia called on the police to “do their utmost best to ascertain the truth so that justice may attained, and the perpetrator be held to account” in the death of Torres
“We send our condolences to the family and loved ones of Cindy Jones. We look forward to the swift action of authorities towards the resolution of this case,” she said.