The loss of a life is already concerning, much more if the death count already reaches at least 21 in just a little more than a week.

The recent spate of killings in the Negros island causes grave concern as the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) notes that this count adds to the growing number of killings in the country that needs to be resolved and given due justice.

As such, we take note of the recent government efforts stepping up the investigations in the Negros island. A recent statement from the Philippine National Police (PNP) assures that the situation is under control even without extraordinary measures being applied. We hold that this puts to rest the need to declare martial law or any emergency power. What we are trying to avoid is the normalisation of measures reserved for extraordinary cases concerning national safety.

Investigators from CHR coming both from its central and regional offices have been deployed to Negros to investigate these killings, involving police officers, a lawyer, educators, and even a child. Every motive is being pursued, especially that allegations of the government and communist rebels being accountable for the executions are being floated.

In the end, the final determination of the truth behind these cases can be ferreted out through an objective investigation. We then ask the PNP to allow cooperation with CHR investigators on the ground, specifically for requests for cases’ information, so we can both serve justice to the families and loved ones left behind due to this senseless killings. ###