The Commission on Human Rights condemns the attack against three police officers of the Pinamalayan Municipal Police Station who were en route to Calapan City to attend a radio programme.

Chief Master Sergeant Ivan Fortus, Senior Master Sergeant Irene Lazo, and Corporal Ivy Carmona were all wounded after the attack, including Nolito dela Cruz, village chief of Palayan, Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, according to police reports.

Police officers are equally entitled to the protection of their rights as humans with dignity. As such, they too should not be subjected to arbitrary threats against life and security among others, especially when not in combat.

We call on the government to investigate this case and explore all possible angles of the attack. CHR, for its part, shall also be investigating this case towards ensuring that perpetrators are made to account. ###