Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the QuadComm’s recommendation to file charges for anti-drug campaign EJKs
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) acknowledges the recommendation of the House of Representatives’ Quad Committee (QuadComm) to pursue charges of crimes against humanity against those involved in the alleged extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration’s nationwide anti-illegal drug campaign. Specifically, the QuadComm has called for the filing of charges against the following individuals: former […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming DOJ’s task force to investigate, prosecute, and conduct case buildup on the victims of extrajudicial killings
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes and fully supports the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) recent pronouncement to establish a dedicated task force to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) related to the anti-illegal drug campaign of the previous administration. The CHR acknowledges this initiative, mandated by Department Order No. 778 issued by […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the PNP’s directive to reopen unsolved cases of local officials killed under the campaign against illegal drugs
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) directive to reopen unsolved cases involving high-profile local officials and personalities who were killed during the height of the previous administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign. This decision to revisit these cases comes after revelations by former P/Lt. Col. Royina Garma about the alleged involvement […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the recent findings of the House Quad Committee in relation to its investigation on extrajudicial killings
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses optimism with the recent developments in the House of Representatives’ Quad Committee (QuadComm) hearings concerning the reported cases of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the context of the Duterte administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign. The CHR is closely monitoring the testimonies and emerging pieces of evidence, which may contribute to […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the Caloocan court’s ruling against the four cops for the extrajudicial killing of father and son in Manila
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the recent verdict by the Caloocan Court, which found four police officers guilty of homicide in connection with the 2016 killing of a father and his son during an anti-drug operation in Manila. The victims, Luis Bonifacio, aged 45, and his son Gabriel Bonifacio, aged 19, were shot […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the DOJ’s expression of commitment in addressing EJK and other grave human rights violations
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the statement of the Department of Justice (DOJ) emphasizing its commitment to safeguard human rights and combat extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and other grave human rights violations. The U.S. Department of State’s recognition of the significance of EJKs as a major concern highlights the need for prompt and decisive […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the denial of the International Criminal Court of the Philippine government appeal to suspend the probe on the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) notes the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber to deny the appeal of the Government of the Philippines meant to suspend the investigation on the alleged crimes against humanity committed in the context of the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign in the country. From the lens of […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the draft DepEd curriculum citing red-tagging and EJKs as human rights violations
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the recent move by the Department of Education (DepEd) to recognise ‘red-tagging, trolling, and extrajudicial killings (EJKs)’ as examples of serious human rights violations in its draft curriculum for Araling Panlipunan in basic education. As the country’s independent national human rights institution, CHR has long denounced the act […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the Navotas Court’s conviction against police officer Jefrey Sumbo Perez for the murders of teenagers Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman
On 13 March 2023, Navotas Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 287 found police officer Jefrey Sumbo Perez guilty, beyond reasonable doubt, for the murders of Carl Angelo Arnaiz, 19, and Reynaldo “Kulot” de Guzman, 14, under the previous administration’s campaign against illegal drugs. Navotas RTC convicted Perez to reclusion perpetua, or imprisonment of up to […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the development on the case of Spanish businessman in Siargao
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the revival of the case of Spanish businessman Diego Bello Lafuente with the surrender of the three (3) policemen allegedly involved in his death to Department of Justice (DOJ). Lafuente was killed on 08 January 2020 in an alleged drug operation in the Island of Siargao by members […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the visit to the Philippines of international experts on the Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Deaths
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the visit to the Philippines of a team of international experts on the Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Deaths, upon invitation from the government. The team comprises Dr. Morris Tidball-Binz, the United Nations Special Rapporteur (UNSR) on extrajudicial, summary, or, arbitrary executions, who is visiting […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the ruling of the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court regarding the killings of teenagers Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman under the anti-illegal drugs campaign
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the verdict of the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 122 convicting police officer Jeffrey Perez of torture, planting of evidence and firearm, as well as moral damages in the killings of teenagers Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo “Kulot” de Guzman during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against […]
Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, lauding the Supreme Court for upholding Writ of Amparo as protection against extralegal killings
Principal to the pursuit of truth and justice is the unconditional regard for every person’s fundamental rights to life, liberty, and security—even if an individual is arrested for an alleged criminal offense. It is with this guiding principle that the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) lauds the declaration of the Supreme Court (SC) affirming the […]
Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty Jacqueline de Guia, on the release of the CHR’s comprehensive report on alleged drug-related extra-judicial killings
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has consistently endeavored to be collaborative and non-adversarial in the defense of human rights. In line with our mandate, we provide recommendations and advise to the government for the improvement of the human rights situation and to address human rights violations with the interest of the people in mind, […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the government’s confidence in the CHR’s competence to conduct an independent probe
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the government’s expression of confidence in the CHR’s competence to conduct an independent investigation and act accordingly on our findings. In particular, we note the remarks of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana requesting the involvement of the CHR in verifying the report of the US State Department regarding alleged […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the DOJ’s filing of charges of murder and planting of evidence against cops on the death of Spanish national in Siargao
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes another development in ascertaining accountability on cases of “nanlaban” (self-defense) particularly on deaths related to the campaign against illegal drugs. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed murder and planting of evidence charges against three (3) police officers from General Luna Municipal Police Station on the death of […]
Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia, welcoming the DOJ’s preliminary investigation on the Batangas couple killed on ‘Bloody Sunday’ raids
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the filing of murder charges by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the start of the preliminary investigation by the Department of Justice on the alleged involvement of 17 police officers over the killing of activists Ariel Evangelista and wife Ana Mariz during the so-called “Bloody Sunday” […]
Statement of Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana on the findings of the Commission on Human Rights report on drug-related extrajudicial killings in the country
In aid of seeking truth and accountability behind deaths allegedly linked to the government’s anti-drug campaign, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) offers its findings based on an earlier analysis of incidents of killings and violence documented since the said campaign started in 2016 until February 2020. The report covers 579 incidents found in NCR, […]
Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the release of information concerning 52 drug war-related deaths
The Commission on Human Rights welcomes the decision of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release an information table involving 52 cases of deaths during the government’s anti-drug operations. As such, information on the docket numbers, names of deceased suspect/suspects, places, and dates of the incidents, and the DOJ Review Panel’s summary of observations will […]
Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the 4th death anniversary of Kian delos Santos
Four years ago, Kian’s life was claimed in the name of the government’s so-called drug war. He was gunned down in August 2017 and died defenseless during an anti-drug operation in Caloocan. Despite claiming that Kian fought back (nanlaban), three police officers were later found guilty of Murder. Years after Kian’s death, killings continue to […]
Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the government’s regression of commitment to fully open cases of alleged extrajudicial killings linked to the drug campaign to investigations
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) regrets the new position of the Palace preventing the full and unqualified access to cases involving alleged extrajudicial killings linked to the government’s drug campaign. The new statement from the government is a setback just when the Philippine National Police (PNP) has already agreed to open around 7,000 cases […]