MANILA, Philippines -- Mediamen who supposedly hit Maguindanao massacre prime suspect Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr. went "overboard" in expressing their outrage over the brutal killing of their colleagues last Nov. 23, the head of the country's human rights commission said on Thursday.

"Yes, overboard. Expression on outrage can be done without physically harming the object of outrage. Without rule of law and restraint, we can all descend to a society where atrocities and vigilantism become a way of life," Leila De Lima, chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), said in a text message to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The Inquirer sought De Lima's comment after angry journalists mobbed Ampatuan, Jr. last Friday at the Department of Justice (DOJ), with one hitting the massacre suspect on the head with his camera.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has said it would review its security arrangements for Ampatuan, Jr. who reportedly sustained some injuries after he was ganged upon by mediamen during the preliminary investigation of the multiple murder case against him at the DOJ.

"Irrespective of what we think or feel, everyone has human rights, even suspects and convicted criminals. Violators of the law have limited rights but have rights nonetheless. The only limitations are those set by law, such as restrictions to right of liberty on account of detention," De Lima said.

She, however stressed, that "anger at those who broke the law or are charged with [a] crime, including heinous crimes, does not justify violations of their rights."

De Lima said that with freedom of expression being one's right as well, "private individuals are free to express their outrage and are free to condemn him."

It is the state, through the justice system, that is "enjoined" to recognize Ampatuan Jr.'s right to be presumed innocent of the charges leveled against him.

"If journalists feel he should have no rights, they may be justified in saying such. But in so far as the mechanisms for justice are concerned, there is no alternative to respecting the accused's rights. Lady justice is blind to public sentiment," De Lima said.

Ampatuan, Jr. is the prime suspect in the brutal killing of 57 people in Maguindanao last Nov. 23 in what has been described as the worst election related killing in the country's history.

Among the dead were the wife and female relatives of the Ampatuans' political rival, lawyers, some 30 journalists, and innocent motorists.

Ampatuan Jr. supposedly killed them to stop his rival, Esmael Mangudadatu, from running for governor of Maguindanao.