The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) vehemently condemns the spate of killings committed against political candidates and election officers in the country. It is deeply alarming that, despite efforts by the government and law enforcement agencies to foster peace ahead of the elections, a culture of violence persists—normalizing killings and other forms of harassment as part of our reality.

The CHR has deployed a Quick Response Operation (QRO) to independently investigate the separate incidents and help pursue the truth and justice for the victims and their families.

The CHR is currently investigating these reported killings of politicians and electoral candidates to determine whether they were politically motivated.

The Commission is deeply concerned by reports of election officers being attacked and killed. We must recognize the crucial role that they play in ensuring a fair, transparent, and impartial elections. After all, they are foundational to the upkeep of every Filipino’s right to suffrage, a safe environment, and political participation during the polls.

The urgent need to curb the culture of impunity and violence cannot be overemphasized. We stress that no one should be arbitrarily deprived of life without just cause and due process of the law. This act of violence also causes immense harm and fear not only to the victims’ families, but also to their communities.

As the country’s independent national human rights institution, the CHR remains firm that it will fulfill its mandate to promote and protect the right to life, liberty, and security of every Filipino, especially with this volatile election period. We amplify our appeal to the government, as duty-bearers, to ensure a safe, free, and genuine elections in order to preserve the democratic principles that we all strive to preserve and protect.###