The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) condemns another violent act against our children following the rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl whose body was found on the evening of 8 November 2021 in Barangay Sta. Maria, Batangas.

According to police reports, the victim went to a classmate’s house to answer a module together but failed to return home that night. A witness claimed to have seen the teenager with a barangay tanod, who was promptly arrested on 9 November 2021 but had denied any involvement in the crime.

CHR welcomes the commitment of Philippine National Police Chief Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar and supports the ongoing investigation to make perpetrators accountable for these crimes.

We continuously remind the government that children are entitled of our utmost care and protection as one of the vulnerable sectors in our population. At the same time, protecting the rights of the children remains to be a shared, collective goal regardless of position, power, and filiation.

CHR extends its condolences to the family and loved ones of the 15-year old child. CHR will also be doing its own independent investigation to aid in seeking truth and justice for this violation of a child’s right and dignity. ###