She would’ve turned four (4) by the end of July, but Myka Ulpina’s life was cut short in the hands of those who swore to protect it. The Commission on Human Rights condemns the death of another innocent life as a consequence of the government’s war against illegal drugs.

As there are disputes in the claims of both sides on what transpired that unfaithful day, the Commission is monitoring the case and already dispatched a team to investigate. We ask the government to expedite the investigation on the matter and allow the rule of law to prevail.

Inscribed in our nation’s Constitution is that “no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.” Minors caught in the crossfire of the government’s initiative in combatting illegal drugs in the country are simply not collateral damages. They are victims. Their hopes and dreams fall short once bullet enter their bodies.

The Commission supports the end of illegal drugs in the country, but we continue to echo the sentiment that the end does not justify the means. As such, the success of the government’s campaign to end illegal drugs should not merit on the number of drug suspects killed, but rather to the multitude of lives changed. #