CHR hits Duterte’s ‘EJK only sin’ remark; reiterates ‘life is sacred’

President Rodrigo Duterte. INQUIRER file photo

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) slammed President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent statement on extra-judicial killings, highlighting that human life, including the lives of drug war victims, is sacred.

“Sagrado ang buhay. Hindi ito dapat pinaglalaruan. Hindi rin tama na gawing paksa ng biro ang pagkamatay ng libu-libong Pilipino na patuloy na humihingi ng hustisya,” CHR Spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said in a statement posted on their official Twitter page.

Sagrado ang buhay. Hindi ito dapat pinaglalaruan. Hindi rin tama na gawing paksa ng biro ang pagkamatay ng libu-libong Pilipino na patuloy na humihingi ng hustisya. pic.twitter.com/vdDzHlhiLI

— CHR Philippines (@chrgovph) September 28, 2018

(Life is sacred. This should not be played with. It is also not right to joke about the death of thousands of Filipinos that continue to seek justice.)

On Sept. 27, Duterte admitted in front of government executives in Malacañang that his only sin was the extra-judicial killings in the country, but he did not elaborate his statement.

READ: Duterte: My only sin is the extrajudicial killings

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque defended Duterte, saying the public must not take the President’s remark literally.

READ: Duterte just being ‘playful,’ not serious on ‘EJK his only sin’ statement

The CHR added that they will continue to investigate the number of deaths behind Duterte’s bloody drug war.

“Bilang parte ng aming mandato, patuloy na iimbestigahan ng Komisyon ang bawat kaso ng extra-judicial killings na di umano’y resulta ng kampanya laban sa droga ng gobyerno [As part of our mandate, we will continue to investigate all cases on extra-judicial killings that was the result of the government’s campaign against drugs],” De Guia said.

It also reminded the police and local government officials to pursue the suspects behind the drug-related killings.

“Pinapaalalahanan din namin ang kapulisan sa kanilang tungkulin na siguraduhing mananagot ang mga may sala. Kabilang dito ang paalala sa lahat ng mga kawani ng gobyerno, na gawin ang kani-kanilang mandato na may integridad, kagalingan at pag-ako sa responsibilidad ng sinumpaang tungkuling uunahin ang interes ng bansa na may paggalang sa karapatan at dignidad ng lahat,” De Guia said.

(We also remind the police on their duty to ensure that those who are guilty of the crime would be held custody. The employees of the government must also perform their mandate with integrity, competence and must commit to their responsibility and sworn duty to put first the interest of the country with respect to the rights and dignity of all.)

The statement was also posted on CHR’s official Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/chrgovph/photos/a.784575471659000/1777583905691480/?type=3&theater

/jpv