MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said Wednesday it will investigate the ambush of Infanta, Quezon Mayor Filipina Grace America, as it expressed alarm over the attack committed in broad daylight.
“To help in seeking truth and justice, CHR will also be investigating the case in hopes that our independent investigation may help in holding perpetrators to account,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement.
According to police, America was hurt after being repeatedly shot by a gunman while she was aboard her sport utility vehicle along Rizal Street in Barangay (village) Poblacion 1 around 11:15 a.m. on Sunday.
READ: Infanta, Quezon mayor hurt in shooting incident
The CHR condemned the incident, saying it is “deeply alarming” that “violations of human rights are becoming more brazen—committed in broad daylight and without regard for human life.”
America is running for re-election in Infanta. According to CHR, the mayor and the Infanta local government have also voiced strong opposition to the construction of Kaliwa Dam, which, once created, will submerge parts of Quezon and Rizal provinces, threaten wildlife, and biodiversity, and displace indigenous communities in the area.
“Under a democratic society, any dispute—may it be politically motivated or otherwise—should never be settled through the barrel of a gun,” de Guia said.
The police in Quezon province said they are looking into politics as one of the motives behind the ambush.
READ: Police eye politics in slay try on Quezon town mayor