Statement of the Commission on Human Rights lauding the proposed bills that seek to establish a National Preventive Mechanism
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) lauds the filing of various bills that seek to establish a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) in compliance with the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). The proposed legislation signifies a crucial step towards addressing the conditions of persons […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the recent cases of alleged police abuses
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Region IX and XI are undertaking a motu propio investigation into the recent separate alleged cases of police abuses. In the municipality of Don Marcelino in Davao Occidental, a 16-year old minor was allegedly maltreated by three police officers when he went to a police station to report […]
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 Spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the discovery of a corpse bearing torture marks in Davao del Sur
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will be conducting a motu propio investigation into the discovery of a body of a woman near a beach in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur on 22 January 2022. The victim is believed to be tortured, with perpetrators attempting to conceal the crime as suggested by the water container […]
Statement of CHR Deputy Spokesperson, Marc Louis Siapno, on the death and alleged torture of a person with mental disability in Coron, Palawan
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), through its CHR Region IV-B office in Palawan, is already investigating the case of Carlo Layaog, 23, who was accused of theft and later died after allegedly experiencing torture from a barangay kagawad and another civilian in Coron, Palawan. It is more concerning that, even before the victim reached […]
Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline de Guia, on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
Torture violates an individual’s right to safety and denies the inherent dignity of the human being. The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is observed annually on June 26 to raise awareness on the prohibition of all forms of torture and in remembrance of victims and survivors of torture. Despite the absolute prohibition […]
Pahayag ni CHR spokesperson, Atty, Jacqueline Ann de Guia, sa mga paglabag ng curfew at quarantine sa Pandacaqui, Mexico, Pampanga
Kailangan parating isipin ng ating mga local government units, kabilang ang lahat ng tauhan ng gobyerno, na ang enhanced community quarantine at ang iba pang mga guidelines na sumusuporta dito ay ginagawa para protektahan ang karapatang pantao ng lahat ng mga Pilipino. Kahit sa normal na sirkumstansya, ang pagpapanagot sa anumang paglabag ay dapat naayon […]
Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on government pronouncements inciting torture
Torture is a human rights violation and no one, even erring individuals, shall be subjected to such cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. The prohibition of torture in the Philippines and in other parts of the globe is absolute and can never be justified in any circumstance. This prohibition is non-derogable, which means that […]
Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the alleged cruel and inhuman treatment of a crime suspect in Tondo, Manila
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses grave concern over an alleged incident of cruel and inhuman treatment of a person suspected of theft (akyat bahay) in Tondo, Manila. The Commission believes that crimes must be punished. But, at the same time, the Constitution and other pertinent laws, such as the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 […]
Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the President’s remark to kidnap and torture state auditors
Torture and kidnapping are prohibited acts under our laws. As crimes, these are grave human rights violations that should not be taken lightly or be used as a joke, especially if used to challenge the mandate of a constitutionally-mandated body, such as the Commission on Audit. Our state auditors perform crucial functions in ensuring that […]
An Act Declaring Torture a Crime, Prescribing Penalties for the Commission of Acts of Torture and for Other Purposes (House Bill No. 2302)
House Bill No. 2302, An Act Declaring Torture a Crime, Prescribing Penalties for the Commission of Acts of Torture and for Other Purposes Torture is broader in scope than mere physical injury. For one thin, physical injury in its narrow sense merely referes to the bodily harm or injury while torture includes mental torture. The […]