Through our Regional Office covering Central Luzon, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will be conducting a motu proprio investigation into the killing of transgender woman, Cindy Jones Torres, 39, who was said to have been stabbed multiple times in Guiguinto, Bulacan by a man who was allegedly borrowing money.

The case of Cindy Jones, as well as other similar instances of reprehensible and senseless acts of violence, stresses the harsh realities faced by the LGBTQI community, who are more vulnerable to hate-motivated violence even in present-day society.

CHR, as the country’s Gender Ombud, denounces all forms of gender-based violence directed towards transgender individuals and other people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).

We strongly echo CHR’s call for better protection of the LGBTQI community through the enactment of the SOGIE Equality Bill, which is envisioned to provide legal mechanisms to hold to account perpetrators of gender-based discrimination and violence.

As the suspect is currently in custody, we hold that the police will do their utmost best to ascertain the truth so that justice may attained, and the perpetrator be held to account.

We send our condolences to the family and loved ones of Cindy Jones. We look forward to the swift action of authorities towards the resolution of this case. ###