CHR to probe recent killings of barangay officials across PH

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said on Friday that the recent cases of killings of some barangay officials across the country were “alarming,” prompting the agency to conduct its own investigation.

According to the CHR, these incidents were endorsed to its regional offices.

READ: Village councilor stabbed dead in Legazpi City

“The Commission on Human Rights vehemently condemns the recent killings of barangay officials across the country. This year has seen an increase in the number of incidents involving violence against barangay officials, which is alarming and necessitates an immediate investigation,” the CHR said in a statement.

“These incidents have been endorsed to various CHR regional offices for further investigation and launching of a quick response operation (QRO) to assist with the investigation,” it added.

The agency said that in March alone, four incidents had been recorded, including the case of a barangay councilor in Legazpi City, Albay, who was stabbed and killed inside his house on March 6, as well as a former barangay kagawad killed by unknown assailants in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur on March 30.

The CHR said that these incidents infringed on the people’s democratic rights, fostering an atmosphere of fear in barangays.

“These incidents impede everyone’s democratic right to participate in a free and peaceful electoral process by instilling threats not only in the community but also in local leaders seeking to serve their constituents,” the CHR continued.

READ: CHR investigates death of barangay official in Oriental Mindoro

“These violent acts create a culture of fear and directly breach the most fundamental right of all– the right to life itself. As duty-bearers, we cannot allow citizens to become desensitized to attacks on those engaged in political activities,” it added.

The CHR then vowed to work with other government agencies for the investigations of the cases.