Statement of the Commission on Human Rights expressing grave concern on the reported hostage incident involving former Senator Leila De Lima

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is gravely concerned on the reported incident of former CHR Chair and Senator Leila De Lima being held hostage today, 9 October 2022, at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center by three other detainees. While initial information reaching CHR share that Senator De Lima is now safe, it […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the alleged torture that resulted to the death of a detainee under the custody of Barira police station in Maguindanao

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), in coordination with the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission, is conducting a motu propio probe on the alleged torture that resulted to the death of 25-year-old Johairie Maongco Dagalangit inside the detention facility of the Barira Municipal Police Station (MPS) in Maguindanao. Based on initial reports, Dagalangit voluntarily surrendered to […]
Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the PNP Chief’s reminder to value the preservation of life

Time and again, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has stressed and cited evidence that a human rights-based approach to criminal justice establishes a high success rate in reducing redicivism as well as ensuring safety for communities. We note further that such an approach is in line with the Philippine Government and the United Nations’ […]
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 Ann de Guia, welcoming the Chief Executive’s reminder to the national police on impartiality and the reasonable use of force

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is the country’s national police force mandated by law to, among others, enforce the law, maintain peace, order, and security in our communities while preventing and investigating crime. This mandate demonstrates the duties of government in ensuring that the rule of law is adhered to, and the rights of every […]
Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, in support of the new PNP chief’s program to reform the national police

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has the mandate to serve and protect the people through law enforcement, crime control and prevention, peace and order, and internal security and safety. These noble functions necessitate credibility, integrity, and competence as with any public duties worthy of public trust. In recent years, there have been many reported cases […]
Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the death of a student allegedly shot by a non-uniformed police personnel in Davao City

A motu proprio investigation is being conducted by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Region XI following the death of a 19-year old male student, Amier Mangcop, after allegedly receiving seven gun shots fired by suspect Marvin Rey Pepino, a doctor and non-uniformed personnel of the Philippine Regional Office (PRO) in Davao, during a […]
Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the delay in the implementation of the arrest warrant for those accused in the killing of businessman Diego Bello Lafuente

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses grave concern over the considerable delay in the implementation of the warrant of arrest for the three police officers allegedly involved in the death of Spanish businessman Diego Bello Lafuente (). This delay, despite the accused officers having been informed of the charges against them and the issuance […]
Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the arrest of environmental defender in Laguna

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), through its Regional Office in Region IV-A, is already conducting a motu propio investigation into the arrest of environmental defender and activist Daisy Macapanpan on Saturday, 11 June 2022 in Pakil town, Laguna. According to reports, she was arrested after delivering a speech protesting the construction of the Ahunan […]
Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the Philippine National Police’s statement on only allowing pro-admin rallyists during the upcoming presidential inauguration

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses concern over the recent remarks of the acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr, that the PNP will have ‘no problem’ with rally attendees as long as they chant support for the incoming President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He further commented against those […]
Statement of Executive Director, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, welcoming the PNP’s swift punitive action on several of its violating officers

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) recent recommendations and swift action in response to recent grave violations and misconduct committed by several of its officers. The cases reported included the following: the molestation of a male minor inside a police precinct; the harassment of a Grade 12 female student; […]
Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty Jacqueline de Guia, on the dispersal of protesters in the CHR grounds

The Commission on Human Rights is very alarmed by the method of dispersal employed by the police during the protest held by progressive groups in the CHR grounds on 25 May 2022. We strongly remind the Philippine National Police (PNP) against the use of water cannons and the carrying of firearms during non-violent protest in […]