INQUIRER file image
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will investigate the sexual assault allegedly committed by a police officer and a civilian against a teenage female quarantine violator in Bataan.
The CHR said such incidents “highlight the vulnerability of women to gender-based violence” especially during the pandemic.
“Consistent to its mandate as the country’s Gender Ombud, an independent CHR investigation will be conducted to shed light on the incident,” the CHR said in a statement.
CHR said abuse of police powers “fundamentally betrays the trust that communities and individuals place in the police”, as it called on the government to send an unequivocal message to law enforcement officials that sexual violence in custody will not be tolerated.
“When people are already in fear of contracting the virus, this unconscionable conduct of the police creates additional fear and impacts the public’s confidence in the capacity of law enforcement to ensure their rights are safeguarded,” the CHR said.
“The Commission recognizes the urgent action of the Philippine National Police chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar on the investigation and dismissal of the erring cop,” it added.
Brig. Gen Valeriano de Leon, chief of the Central Luzon Police Regional Office (PRO 3), said that the suspects accosted the teenager at a quarantine control point in a Barangay Batangas II in Mariveles.
In a separate statement on Saturday, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said “the victim was then taken to the boarding house of the policeman where the two took turns in molesting the victim.”
RELATED STORY:
Teen accuses cop, civilian at Bataan quarantine control point of sexual assault