CHR condemns, probes killing of Cagayan barangay captain

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Thursday condemned the killing of village chief  Richard Biraquit in Piat, Cagayan, and said it is already investigating.

Biraquit, 57, was gunned down by motorcycle-riding assailants last January 23.

“CHR Region II has begun conducting an independent motu proprio investigation of this incident to aid in the pursuit of justice,” the commission said in a statement.

According to the CHR, Biraquit was a known innovator of agriculture, having garnered recognition from both the provincial and national governments, including theNational Gawad Saka Award from the Department of Agriculture in 201

“CHR stands with Biraquit’s family in their search for justice,” the commission said.

Should incidents of killings continue, it would worsen the human rights condition in the country, according to the CHR. 

“We continue to stress the obligation of the State to protect every person’s life and security, as well as to ensure that perpetrators of violence are held to account. In addressing the climate of impunity, our continuing call is to [stop the killings],” said the CHR.

Biraquit is not the only village chief to have recently been gunned down in Luzon.

Reginald Espiritu, village chief of Barangay San Isidro in Lupao, Nueva Ecija, was gunned down by unidentified assailants on Tuesday. 

RELATED STORIES: 

Another village chief in Luzon gunned down

Barangay chief in Abra shot dead

gsg