Another curfew violator, Ernanie Lumban, died after allegedly being beaten up by a team of barangay tanod in Purok 2, Barangay Turbina, Calamba City, Laguna. It is deeply concerning that this happened only a few days after the death of a curfew violator in Cavite.

It is strongly condemnable that the curfew policy, which is supposed to protect our right to health, became the reason for the deprivation of the utmost right to life. Beating a person over a minor offense may be tantamount to torture—an attack to human dignity instead of a corrective measure. Such excessive punishment can be considered as grave abuse of authority and those who shall be proven to have committed an overreach must be held accountable.

We reiterate our call to impose community service for quarantine violators, as an alternative to imposition of intense physical punishments or excessive fines, as earlier recommended by Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. In these difficult times, compassionate and human rights-based approach are essential in implementing quarantine rules to truly address the plight of all, especially the disadvantaged ones.

We offer our deep condolences to the family of the victim. The CHR Region IV-A quick response team is already conducting an independent probe in the interest of truth and justice for the victim. ###