CHR expresses concern over ‘irresponsible’ terrorist-tagging posters in Davao
MANILA, Philippines — A set of posters linking nine individuals in Davao City to terrorist activities sends a chilling effect on the freedom of expression, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said on Saturday.
“The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses grave concern over tagging of nine individuals as terrorist recruiters, as their names and photos were publicly published by unknown culprits in Brgy Maa, Davao City,” CHR spokesman Jacqueline de Guia said in a statement.
“Such irresponsible and illegal act sends a chilling effect on the exercise of freedom of expression and opinion of these progressive individuals and organizations, and threatens their personal security and safety as well,” she added.
The said posters were placed at the side gate of Sta. Ana Church in Davao City. There were also similar posters in Barangay Maa which were put up last July 22.
With this, the commission urges the local government authorities in Davao City to conduct an investigation and find out who is responsible for the posters.
“The Commission calls on local government authorities to immediately facilitate proper investigation of the case, to hold perpetrators accountable, and to put an end to these series of intimidation against people who have openly expressed grievance against the government,” de Guia said.
The human rights body also reiterated its call to make sure the rights of citizens are protected while the anti-terror law is in effect.
“We hope that this newly enforced policy to suppress counterinsurgency in the country would not be leveraged by any institution in justifying such indiscriminate labeling as we have previously expressed our reservations on the said law,” De Guia said.
The CHR’s regional office, likewise, will conduct its independent probe, de Guia said.
Human rights advocates have expressed alarm over the posters in Davao city which tag lumad (Indigenous Peoples) and human rights advocates as human rights violators and murderers.
