House inquiry into child’s killing sought

MANILA, Philippines — Activist lawmakers on Tuesday sought a congressional inquiry into the June 30 death of a 3-year-old girl caught in the crossfire of a sting operation in Rodriguez, Rizal province.

The six-member Makabayan bloc filed House Resolution No. 41 urging the House human rights panel to investigate the killing of Kateleen Myka Ulpina who was slain with her father Renato Ulpina, a suspected drug dealer.

The measure cited reports in which the police claimed the girl’s father had used her as a human shield in a gunfight with the authorities, a claim denied by her mother.

No warrant of arrest

“Myka’s mother belied authorities’ claim that Myka was used as a human shield by his drug suspect father, adding that police broke in and smashed their windows while they were sleeping, and that the police did not provide any warrant of arrest or any legal papers,” the resolution stated.

Ulpina, according to the Makabayan bloc, was the latest addition to the list of more than 100 minors killed in the Duterte administration’s drug war.