Even in the face of a national emergency, protection of human rights cannot be compromised, including those rights of the accused and persons deprived of liberty.

All individuals under investigation or involuntary restraint have the right against all forms of threats and violence. These rights are made available the moment an arrest or detention, with or without a warrant, is made.

The Commission on Human Rights is alarmed with the recent incident involving the alleged rape of detainees by two police officers of Marikina City.

The said crime allegedly committed by detention officers against women detainees show that even in times of crisis, women and girls, are at risk of and are victims of different forms of gender-based violence.

Gender-based violence against women detainees stresses the importance of keeping our response mechanisms functional, otherwise we leave many women and girls without recourse during this health crisis—this is even more urgent for women who are in vulnerable situations like women in detention.

While the National Capital Region Police Office have acted on the case and have placed the two accused officers under the arrest, the Commission stresses the importance of monitoring and accountability to ensure that this incident will not be repeated.

We also reiterate our recommendation that local government units (LGU) update their referral pathways for gender-based violence—that in cases where primary hospitals are overburdened—alternative secondary health care facilities are provided; that LGUs inform communities and service providers of updated referral pathways—including shelter support; and that, in cases of women in detention, information on the procedures for filing of complaints within institutions is reiterated and emphasized.

The Commission on Human Rights, as the Gender Ombud, in condemnation of this incident wishes to yet again remind government agencies that in time of crisis, the obligation to protect women and persons of diverse SOGIE from gender-based violence does not only remain, but should be emphasized.