The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses grave concern and condemns the recent violence and indignities experienced by two girl children in Laguna and Bulacan, aged seven- and 15-years old respectively.

A 15-year old female biker was reported missing in Bulacan on 9 August 2022 and was later found lifeless on 12 August in a grassy area along the Brgy. Bonga Menor, Bustos in the same province. Her body shows marks of cigarette burns.

In Pila, Laguna, a seven-year old girl was also found lifeless inside a sack at a back of a house. The child was found on Monday, 15 August 2022, without clothes and her body showing signs of abuse.

These incidents further highlight the vulnerabilities faced by children. Children have the right to a safe and empowering environment so they may eventually live a productive life. Crimes such as these further compound the challenges faced, particularly of girl children, during their formative years and should alarm the government to act on these concerns, alongside issues of gender equality, exclusion, and lack of access to opportunities for education and empowerment. As students go back to face-to-face classes again, there is a need to ensure their safety and security as well so that similar incidents won’t happen elsewhere.

CHR extends its condolences to the families of the the two children. At the same time, CHR’s regional offices in Region III and IV-A are already doing motu propio investigations to help seek justice and accountability from the perpetrators of these human rights violations.

We note that, based on police updates, the suspect for the killing of the 15-year old girl in Bulacan has been arrested in Camarines Sur on Friday, 19 August 2022. We look forward to the resolution of these cases consistent with relevant laws protecting the rights of girl children and women, such as the Magna Carta of Women. ###