CHR investigates nationwide uptick in crimes against women, children
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday condemned the spate of violence against women and children several days apart in different parts of the country and said that it would conduct investigations.
“As the country’s Gender Ombud, CHR strongly condemns these violent acts and stands with the victims’ families in their calls for swift justice and redress. Parallel to police probes, CHR is already conducting its independent motu proprio investigations on the aforementioned cases,” the CHR said in a statement.
The incidents were reported and recorded from March 9 to March 13, 2023, said the CHR.
According to the Commission, its probe includes the case of a 67-year-old Maria Estrella Villastique who was killed by her son in Pasig.
The CHR will also examine the death of 22-year-old victim Kimberly Achas after she was allegedly beaten and stabbed to death by her live-in partner in Bukidnon.
The killing of four siblings, aged six to 14 years old in Cavite, is also being investigated by the Commission. Their mother’s live-in partner murdered them.
The CHR will likewise look into the alleged rape of a 13-year-old student by her grandfather.
“The Commission urges leaders to condemn to the highest degree the gravity and frequency of these abhorrent incidents. We must vehemently reject the normalization of violence against women and work towards building a nation where violence is not the norm, but an exception that is swiftly and effectively dealt with,” said the CHR.
“The Commission underscores that the government must take proactive measures to address the root causes of violence such as poverty, inequality, and social exclusion, alongside ensuring justice for all victims of human rights abuse and violations and effective support to victims and survivors, as a crucial component of fulfilling its human rights obligations,” the CHR added.
