Commission on Human Rights spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline de Guia. Image from CHR
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has vowed to do its own investigation into the case of a woman found dead near a beach in Sta. Cruz town of Davao del Sur, suggesting torture based on the appearance of the remains.
In a statement on Thursday, CHR spokesperson and lawyer Jacqueline de Guia said that the commission believes the perpetrators tried to conceal the crime, as they tied the body to a water container full of cement to keep it underwater.
“[CHR] will be conducting a motu propio investigation into the discovery of a body of a woman near a beach in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur on 22 January 2022,” De Guia said.
“The victim is believed to be tortured, with perpetrators attempting to conceal the crime as suggested by the water container filled with cement tied to the body serving as anchor,” she added.
According to De Guia, such a crime should be considered heinous, as torture is prohibited by the 1987 Constitution and the Anti-Torture Law.
CHR also appealed to any witness who may have knowledge of the event to come forward and provide any information.
“The Commission condemns this heinous and cruel violation to human life. Torture and other cruel and inhumane acts are prohibited by the Constitution and is criminalised by the Anti-Torture Law. No individual should be subject to torture or any cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment,” she stressed.
“CHR will be working closely with local officers to help in establishing the identity of the victim. We ask any possible witnesses or those who may have knowledge on the identity of the victim to volunteer information to your nearest police station or CHR office so we may help achieve justice for this human rights violation,” she added. With a report from Jericho Zafra, INQUIRER.net trainee
RELATED STORY:
In the Know: Anti-Torture Act of 2009