Rights violations persist during lockdown — CHR

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has recorded about 500 complaints of rights abuses in more than two months that Metro Manila and several provinces were locked down to stop the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).But filing charges in court has become “definitely challenging” for the commission due to the abnormal court operation and restricted movement by CHR staff members who are also taking precaution against the virus, according to Jacqueline de Guia, the CHR spokesperson.

De Guia, in a phone interview on Tuesday, said several complaints received by the CHR pertained to alleged torture, and inhumane and degrading punishments meted out by law enforcers or local officials to those who broke curfew and other quarantine rules.

The CHR also received complaints over the distribution of cash aid and relief by national agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Labor and Employment.

Beaten by cops

De Guia said the commission received 495 cases since the start of the enhanced community quarantine on March 15. Of this, 129 referred to incidents of torture (CIDT, or cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment), and 68 to unlawful arrests and detention.“[But] these only reflected those received by our central office through our hotline or social media,” she said, noting that the agency had yet to receive reports from its regional offices.

Among the recent cases involved 30-year-old factory worker Ronald Campo, who was reportedly beaten by policemen in General Trias City, Cavite province, on May 12.Campo was arrested by the police Special Weapons and Tactics for violating quarantine rules.Police Col. Marlon Santos, Cavite police director, denied that Campo was mauled. In a statement, he said Campo’s wounds, including a fracture on his skull, were “self-inflicted” when he tried to escape.

Nevertheless, Santos said two policemen were ordered relieved, pending the results of an internal probe.The CHR on May 17 started investigating Campo’s case by talking to the victim and potential witnesses.

“We are also trying to help the family as they were having trouble settling (Campo’s) hospital expenses,” De Guia said.

Aside from Campo’s case, considered “grave or severe” are those of retired soldier Winston Ragos, who was shot dead by policemen near a road checkpoint, and of fish vendor Michael Rubuia, who was beaten by government employees for failing to wear a face mask. Both happened in Quezon City.

In the provinces, cruel and degrading punishments were meted out by village officials in Naic, Cavite, when a man was made to stay inside a coffin after violating the curfew.

Another happened in Santa Cruz, Laguna province, when village officials forced a group of teens into a dog cage, also as punishment for breaking the quarantine.