MANILA, Philippines- Hayagang kinondena ng Commission on Human Rights (CHR) ang anumang uri ng karahasan na ginawa ng apat na pulis na pinatay ang isang mag-ama sa isinagawang illegal drugs operation sa Caloocan City noong 2016.
Pinuri naman ng Komisyon ang naging hatol na homicide ni Caloocan City Regional Trial Court Judge Ma. Rowena Violago Alejandria noong Hunyo 18 laban kina P/Msgt. Virgilio Q. Cervantes, P/Cpl. Arnel De Guzman, P/Cpl. Johnston M. Alacre at P/Cpl. Artemio Saguros Jr. para sa pagpatay kina Luis Saldana Bonifacio at sa kanyang 19 taong gulag na anak na si Gabriel noong Setyembre 15, 2016.
Ang mga pulis ay sinintensiyahang makulong mula anim na taon, walong buwan at 21 araw hanggang 10 taon.
Pinagbabayad din ang mga ito sa mga naulila ng mag-amang biktima ng P100,000 para sa actual damages; P100,000 para sa civil indemnity; P100,000 para sa moral damages; at P100,000 para sa temperate damages.
Sa kalatas na ipinalabas ng CHR sinabi nito na kinokondena nito ang “any form of violence, particularly when perpetrated by those entrusted with the duty to protect all citizens, especially the vulnerable individuals from the poor sector.”
Tinukoy din nito na “unjustified killings committed by law enforcers are not only blatant violations of the law but also manifest grave abuse of authority and transgress against the principles of humanity and the right to life.”
Sinabi pa ng CHR na ang desisyon ng Caloocan City RTC ay “a significant step towards achieving justice and accountability for the victims of human rights violations in relation to the anti-drug campaign of the previous administration.”
“We hope that this ruling will signal the start of sustained and consistent progress in addressing the serious human rights violations associated with these operations,” ayon sa CHR.
Winika pa ng CHR na: “The RTC ruling highlights the importance of respect for human rights, due process, and the rule of law, in any campaign, including in the pursuit of crime prevention and drug control. Only by respecting fundamental human rights can we achieve genuine peace and order and true justice in our society.”
Samantala, buo naman ang suporta ng CHR sa nagpapatuloy na committee hearings sa Kamara ukol sa mga napaulat na kaso ng extra-judicial killings (EJKs) sa panahon ng drugs operations ng nakalipas na administrasyon.
“These deaths represent far more than mere statistics; they represent the loss of individual lives and the impact of violence on families and communities. It is imperative that we continue to sound the alarm; ensure that their stories are heard and acted upon; and, that such injustice will not be repeated,” giit ng Komisyon.
“We remain hopeful that these comprehensive deliberations will lead to more prosecutions and deliver justice to the many families devastated by these unlawful acts,” dagdag na pahayag ng CHR. Kris Jose
