The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses grave concern over an alleged incident of cruel and inhuman treatment of a person suspected of theft (akyat bahay) in Tondo, Manila.
The Commission believes that crimes must be punished. But, at the same time, the Constitution and other pertinent laws, such as the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 (RA 9745), guarantee due process as a human right and prohibit any form of torture that demeans or degrades human dignity of all persons, including suspects, detainees, and prisoners.
As such, the Commission shall be endorsing the case for investigation to determine the truth in the circumstances captured in the video, especially that it explicitly shows beating with chains in public, by unidentified persons carrying out the action. Our goal has always been to ensure that the rule of law prevails and that each and everyone’s rights are respected. ###