Hontiveros wants Senate probe on death of 3-year-old girl in Rizal drug bust

MANILA, Philippines — Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros is pushing for a Senate inquiry on the death of a three-year-old girl during a buy-bust operation in Rodriguez, Rizal last June 30.

Hontiveros said on Wednesday she has filed a Senate resolution seeking a probe on the “circumstances that led to this innocent child’s death.”

READ: 3-year-old girl hit in drug buy-bust crossfire dies

“Naghain naman po ako ng resolusyon para imbestigahan ang pagkapaslang kay three year old na si Myka Ulpina sa isang buy-bust operation sa Rizal,” Hontiveros said in a Kapihan sa Senado forum.

“Hindi maaaring maging business as usual at everyday reality ang pagkamatay ng mga inosenteng buhay lalo na ang mga bata sa ilalim ng war on drugs ni Pangulong Duterte,” she added.

She said the probe aims to determine the persons responsible behind the killing of three-year-old Myka Ulpina and make them responsible to give justice to the child’s family.

The senator added that the result of the investigation should be used to as basis to further strengthen the protection of children.

“Malaman dapat kung sino ang responsable sa kanyang pagkamatay, at panagutin ang tao o ang mga taong ito at mabigyan hustisya ang kanyang pamilya,” Hontiveros said.

“Following on that painful experience and lesson, magkaroon talaga ng proteksyon para sa mga bata,” she added.

Hontiveros cited data from the Children’s Legal Rights and Development Center that showed 50 minors have already been killed in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

The resolution is urging the Senate committees on women, children, family relations, and gender equality and the public order and dangerous drugs to conduct the investigation into the death of Myka and that of other minors.

Hontiveros surmised that the resolution will be referred to the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, which will be led by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, whom she calls as “Senator Duroy,” in the 18th Congress.

“I am hoping na si Senator Duroy ay ididispense yung duty nya bilang committee chair with all the fairness and judiciousness dahil marami malamang sa iimbestigahan ay kaso ng extrajudicial killings o kaya corruption o under abuses sa war on drugs na nagsimula noong panahon na siya pa yung Chief PNP (Philippine National Police),” she said.

She added that she is “glad” that Dela Rosa has apologized for his “shit happens” remark referring to Myka’s death.

READ: Shit happens, Bato says after a child got killed in drug bust

READ: Bato dela Rosa apologizes for ‘shit happens’ comment

For his part, Dela Rosa has vowed to investigate the death of Myka, adding that he will try his best to remain fair.

“Yes, yes. I must tell the public that  gagawin ko ang lahat ng magagawa ko  para magiging fair ako (I will do everything to be fair),” Dela Rosa said in a television interview when asked if the public can expect a fair and independent hearing.  /muf

READ: ‘Bato’ vows impartial probe on child’s death in Rizal drug bust