DAVAO CITY ? A team from the Commission on Human Rights is documenting cases of alleged human rights violations in Maguindanao after martial law was imposed in the province last week.

Lawyer Mari Cruz of the public information office of the CHR said documentation of the alleged abuses committed by government forces against civilians in Maguidanao was ongoing in the wake of reports of alleged looting and sexual molestation of women.

These alleged human rights violations, she said, were currently being verified by the CHR team. She also said that the CHR would conduct a public hearing on the Ampatuan Massacre in January.

Earlier, CHR Chairwoman Leila de Lima called on the authorities to respect and protect the rights of the people.

?Consciously put in place protections for human rights during martial law in Maguindanao. Martial law is a reality, even though the CHR does not support it, so we have to protect human rights in this area now that there are greater risks of violations under martial law,? De Lima said.

De Lima called on the police, including the National Bureau of Investigation, and the military to respect the rights of ordinary persons and even of the suspects, to ?ask questions and search for documents and information with respect for everyone?s dignity.?

The military and police have arrested people believed to have taken part in the November 23 Ampatuan Massacre. Authorities have also arrested members of the influential Ampatuan family, including Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan, Sr. and his sons Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Jr. and Zaldy, governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Military troops have also recovered arms caches.

?The Commission called on the Armed Forces to immediately distribute and remind soldiers on the ground about the doctrine and policies on command responsibility but also to issue rules of engagement that would minimize hurt to civilians and non-combatants,? De Lima said.