Philippine Standard Time:
Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 4:53 PM
This archive features official communications from the Commission on Human Rights, reflecting its stance on pressing human rights issues and national developments. It includes joint statements, press releases, brief statements, and press statements, all aimed at informing the public, asserting positions, and fostering transparency and accountability.
Killing, Rodel Batocabe
It is alarming that the trend of killings continue despite the holiday season. However, regardless of season or motivation, the government must not allow such transgressions against human rights to happen. We urge the government to apply increased vigilance, especially that there are allegations linking the killing to the upcoming elections. CHR-Region V is already […]
Arm Barangay Officials, barangay officials
The Commission recognizes the intention of the government to address criminality at the barangay level. However, the role of barangay captains is to implement local ordinances and laws and to help the police in assessing peace and order situation in their respective areas. Promoting peace through mediation is also an integral part of the barangay […]
Hamletting, Indigenous Peoples
The government is well within its obligation to protect the welfare of its people. However, hamletting as an approach to public safety may result to a number of human rights violations due to the enforced displacement of communities and individuals. Such proposal challenges the people’s constitutional right to liberty and property among others and will […]
Martial Law Extension
The Commission on Human Rights is firm in its position that our security sector, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines combined, can address acts of lawlessness without the need for martial law. The said declaration is an extraordinary measure that the 1987 Constitution prescribes as reserved only to instances of […]
Climate Change, Commissioner Roberto Cadiz, National Inquiry on Climate Change
The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines’ panel conducting an inquiry to determine the impact of climate change on the human rights of the Filipino people officially concluded its public hearing yesterday, December 12. The first pre-hearing conference was conducted by thePanel on December 11, 2017, while the public hearings began in March, 2018. At […]
Marawi Siege, Martial Law Extension
The CHR has taken a position from the first instance when the Marawi Siege had began in May 2017 that it believes that the Government has the ability to exercise law enforcement powers to quell any threats without the need to invoke the extraordinary powers of Martial Law and more so now that the Martial […]
CHR Region IV-A, Quick Response Team, right to life
The death of Richard Santillan, bodyguard of former Biliran representative Glenn Chong, is unfortunate, especially that it is laced with questions on the circumstances of the crossfire that ensued between the police and Santillan. The Commission on Human Rights urges the government to investigate in the interest of the truth and making perpetrators possibly accountable […]
70th Anniversary of UDHR, Freedom Park, Liwasang DIokno, Universal Declaration of Human Rights
QUEZON CITY— In honour of the heroism of those who fought for human rights, the Commission onHuman Rights (CHR) is set to open Liwasang Diokno to the public as a freedom park today, 10 December 2018, at its central office in Quezon City. The said space is dedicated to the late Senator Jose ‘Ka Pepe’ […]
Martial Law Extension
It has been the position of the Commission on Human Rights that our security forces are fully capable of addressing lawless violence in the country without the need for martial law. The 1987 Constitution is also clear that only invasion and rebellion merit such declaration. As such, there has to be a strong reason should […]
Bishop, President's Remarks, Protection of Human Rights
Statements that could embolden the violence against priests and other religious persons are gravely alarming in the face of continuing attacks against those deemed as critics of the government. Churches and priests, such as in the case of Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Caloocan, work directly with communities and families, who continue to suffer the […]
EJK, ejk on minors, Kian delos Santos, Verdict
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the guilty verdict of the court against the cops involved in the death of 17-year old boy Kian Loyd Delos Santos. The decision marks the triumph of the rule of law, especially in the face of the growing number of deaths allegedly linked to the government’s drug campaign. […]
due process, Impunity, Parojinog
It is deeply concerning that the President continues to utter remarks that can be construed as a directive to kill and to circumvent due process. We reiterate that as the head of the State, his words carry the weight of a policy. The President must refrain from making remarks that further perpetuate the culture of […]
NPA, Sparrow Unit
The Commission on Human Rights expresses alarm over plans of government to create a death squad meant to target suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA). This move is not within the law and such actions will lead to violations of human rights, including the right to life and due process. The Constitution […]
DICT, Right to Privacy
The Commission recognizes that the State must exercise its police power to prevent terrorism and uphold national security. However, the State must acknowledge that the proposal necessarily entails surveillance power, which impinges on the right to privacy of communication and correspondence as well as the sacred right to private life. It can also adversely impact […]
EJK, Kian Loyd delos Santos, Minor, Verdict
We welcome the trial court’s conviction of Kian’s killers and thank all those who assisted in securing justice in this case—particularly the courageous eye witnesses, the church workers, and human rights defenders who offered sanctuary, and the investigators and prosecutors who performed their duty. We call on the government to step up their efforts in […]
International Humanitarian Law, Troops Deployment
The State always has a duty to protect its citizens from all forms of harm including lawless violence and terrorist acts. This duty must at all times be undertaken in accordance with established rules of engagement; due process and rule of law guarantees; and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) principles. IHL requires States to use only […]
Bicol, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Samar, Troops Deployment
The Commission on Human Rights expresses caution on the move of the administration to deploy more security forces in the Bicol region and the provinces of Samar, Negros Oriental, and Negros Occidental. The recent incidence of violence in the area demands thorough investigation and expedient justice for the victims. This is the more immediate clamor […]
Alsa Masa, PNP
The Commission on Human Rights notes the recent plans of the Philippine National Police to revive the concept of ‘Alsa Masa’ in addressing the drug problem at the grassroots level. While at its centre is tapping the spirit of volunteerism, the Commission urges the government to ensure adherence to strict guidelines in its implementation that […]
CHED, Mandatory Drug Test, Minor
The Commission on Human Rights notes the intent of the Commission on Higher Education in ensuring a safe and drug-free environment for our youth by instating mandatory drug testing in colleges. We, however, equally impress the need for the government to address reasons for drug use among the youth, and caution against shifting the burden […]
PNP, Rape, Sexual Harassment
Rape and other forms of sexual harassment in the workplace setting is a despicable reality faced by many women. It is appalling that such transgression was recently committed by a police officer towards his subordinate. This not only violates the code of conduct of government workers but also greatly impacts the credibility and ability of […]
drug testing, minors
The Commission on Human Rights reminds the government of its obligation to always put premium on the welfare and rights of the children, in line with the spirit of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which the Philippines ratified, and other domestic laws passed to this effect. While the recent SWS survey shows […]