The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) calls on the government to urgently investigate the string of killings and arrests in several areas in Southern Tagalog on Sunday, 7 March 2021, given the brutal nature of the deaths and allegations of irregularities in the said law enforcement operations.

Based on reports, nine (9) activists were killed and six (6) were arrested during a police-military raid on progressive groups in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Rizal provinces in Calabarzon (Region IV-A). CHR finds the number of deaths most concerning in light of the pattern of prevalent red-tagging and escalating attacks against activists.

Despite several commitments by the Philippine Government—domestically and internationally—to uphold, respect, and protect human rights, we have yet to see concrete response to our repeated plea for tangible reduction of violence on the ground.

Where the right to life is concerned, the government has the utmost obligation to fulfill its obligation—no matter which side of the political spectrum one belongs. It is the supreme duty of the State to protect the right to life. Hence, all necessary actions must be done to demonstrate our genuine regard for life and to truly address the impunity and stop further killings.

At the same time, CHR also expresses concern on the Chief Executive’s statement made on Friday, 5 March 2021, which ordered the police and military “to shoot and kill right away” if they see communists holding a gun and “ignore human rights.”

We stress that, while CHR condemns the use of arms and violence to overthrow a government, human rights must be respected at all times. Crimes must be punished under the guidance of the rule of law and due process.

Words matter and such words can embolden some to act with abuse and impunity.

The government, with its primary obligation to respect, protect, and fulfill the rights of everyone, cannot be the first one to violate them. CHR also reiterates its stern reminder to all government officials, who have the sworn duty to uphold human rights, to exemplify this obligation in words and in deeds.

There are also rules of conduct that public officials and employees must observe, as required by Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

CHR stresses again that the government should combat impunity and demonstrate genuine adherence to the rule of law by investigating the deaths and attacks against activists, as well as all other allegations of extrajudicial killings of human rights defenders. No perpetrator must be spared from the full force of law.

CHR, through its CHR Region IV-A office, is already on the said cases to pursue independent probes in line with our mandate as the country’s national human rights institution. #ItigilAngPatayan #StopTheKillings