Commission on Human Rights INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday said the new series of killings of barangay (village) officials in different parts of the country would negatively impact people’s participation in the 2025 elections.
“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. The latest victims involved three incumbent officials and one former village officer.
The commission stressed it “vehemently condemned” the killings as it endorsed these cases to their respective local offices for further investigation.
Riding tandem
The most recent incident involved a barangay kagawad (councilor) killed by riding tandem assailants in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur, on March 30.
On March 8, a village councilor in Legazpi City, Albay, was killed by a suspect who broke into his home and stabbed him to death. The official, who was a senior citizen, was was brought to the nearest hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
On March 6, two deaths in different provinces were reported. The first was a village councilor who was stabbed to death in Legazpi city. The suspect is in police custody.
On the same day, a former barangay official from Barangay Tudela in Trento town, Agusan del Sur province, was killed along with two other residents by unidentified armed men.
Ensure transparency
“As duty-bearers, we cannot allow citizens to become desensitized to attacks on those engaged in political activities. CHR will work closely with the relevant government agencies to ensure fairness, transparency and impartiality in the investigations and prosecution of these cases,” the CHR said.
This is the second time this year the CHR has raised the issue of safety and security of barangay officials and its possible impact on the upcoming 2025 elections.
In February, the commission condemned 11 killings of barangay officials and staff in Zamboanga City, Nueva Ecija, Ilocos Sur, Leyte, and Bulacan.
“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 said.