CHR monitoring, probing recent attacks vs vulnerable victims

  

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has assured the public that it is monitoring and investigating at least three attacks against individuals from vulnerable sectors, including the killing of a seven-year-old child in Manila.

In a statement on Thursday, CHR identified three specific incidents that caught their attention:

• killing of seven-year-old child Catherine Joy “CJ” Lloren in Manila
• killing of 61-year-old senior citizen Marcelino Lacsamana in Quezon City
• killing of two female senior citizens — Rosita Lobaton, 70, and Marie Sampang, 60 — and 11-year old child Reign Yog Sampang in Bataan

“The Commission recognizes the concerned local government units’ efforts to secure justice for the victims. As part of our investigation and monitoring efforts, we will coordinate closely with the local authorities to aid in the just resolution of these cases,” the CHR said.

“We express vehement condemnation on these latest cases of violence that trample upon the right to life and safety of the cited vulnerable individuals. It is most concerning that the crimes were committed in the comfort of their own homes and the alleged perpetrators are those close to the victims. We expect exhaustive efforts from local authorities in ensuring justice for the victims and to ascertain accountability of perpetrators,” it added.

According to the commission, Lloren died last August 26 after she was reportedly beaten by her father for failing to return spare change, while Lacsamana was said to have been stabbed to death by his caregiver who also happens to be a relative of his partner.

Lobaton, Sampang, and the 11-year-old girl were allegedly killed by the previous live-in partner of Sampang in Limay, Bataan last September 12.

  “These horrific crimes remind us of the need to be consistently vigilant in looking after the rights and welfare of the most vulnerable members of our society,” it added. (with reports from Jezvette Kyelle Mapagdalita, INQUIRER.net trainee)