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Statement of CHR Deputy Spokesperson, Marc Louis Siapno, on the death and alleged torture of a person with mental disability in Coron, Palawan

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), through its CHR Region IV-B office in Palawan, is already investigating the case of Carlo Layaog, 23, who was accused of theft and later died after allegedly experiencing torture from a barangay kagawad and another civilian in Coron, Palawan.

It is more concerning that, even before the victim reached the police station, videos show that Carlo appeared to have already experienced cruel and degrading treatment from the said individuals. He was also said to have a mental disability.

CHR condemns any act that amounts to torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, as also suggested in this incident. CHR, as the country’s independent national human rights institution, has repeatedly emphasised that any form of torture, may it be inflicting severe mental or physical pain or suffering on somebody else for a specific purpose, is illegal. Freedom from torture is a non-derogable right.

At the same time, a number of international treaties assert this prohibition, which the Philippines has also ratified. Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights both stress that no one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. The United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment also remind that there can be no acceptable reason to justify torture and that State Parties ‘shall take effective legislative, administrative, judicial, or other measures to prevent acts of torture in any territory under its jurisdiction.’ To this effect, we also highlight that the country also has a standing Anti-Torture Act passed in 2009.

Apart from our independent probe, we welcome the investigation of the Coron Municipal Police on the case. CHR extends our deepest sympathies to the family of Carlo. And we hope that we can collective address excesses in exercising authority that ultimately results in violations of human rights and dignity. ###

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