CHR to probe assassination attempt on Misamis Occidental mayoral candidate

MANILA, Philippines —  The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) announced on Wednesday that it will investigate the attempted assassination of a mayoral candidate in Calamba, Misamis Occidental.

In a statement, CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said the probe was done motu proprio — meaning the agency initiated the probe on its own.

“Continued occurrences of vigilante-violence to electoral candidates, if left unabated, may lead to a chilling effect on our electoral system and negatively impact the country’s security and the democratic process in general,” said De Guia.

“We cannot allow this culture of violence and impunity to be a norm during the election period,” she added.

She then urged government authorities to “swiftly act and investigate these incidents to hold perpetrators to account.”

This developed after George Matunog Jr., 55, an independent candidate running for mayor of Calamba, Misamis Occidental was hurt after being shot by unidentified gunmen on Sunday, March 13.

READ: Misamis Occidental town mayoralty bet hurt in shooting

Matunog was walking home from a convenience store in Purok 1, Poblacion, Calamba, when motorcycle-riding suspects stopped and shot him once in the back of the neck, with the bullet exiting his right cheek.

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