Commission on Human Rights (CHR). INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) condemned the reported planting of evidence by two Batangas police officers that led to the “unlawful killing” of a man in Quezon province.
CHR Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc said the action of the policemen was a violation of the victim’s right to life. He said the involved police officers must face the “full extent of the law.”
Mst. Sgt. Juan Macaraig and Sgt. Michie Perez from the Batangas Provincial Police Office recently admitted there was no buy-bust operation against Bryan Laresma on May 28, and that they planted pieces of evidence such as money, gun, and “shabu” (slang for crystal meth) on Laresma to imply his involvement in the illegal drug trade.
“The CHR condemns this act as it not only resulted in an unlawful killing but also violated the fundamental right to life of the victim,” Palpal-latoc said in a statement Tuesday.
READ: Cops say no buy-bust happened, admits to planting evidence
“It is imperative that the police officers implicated in this grievous act face the full extent of the law for their actions,” he added.
Macaraig and Perez admitted to planting evidence on Laresma during a hearing of the House committee on public order on July 15. The two police officers were likewise scolded during the public hearing for omitting crucial information from the affidavit of Laresma’s brother, Adrian, that Perez pointed a gun at him and told him to leave.
The CHR said the killing of Laresma is a violation of Articles 10 and 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which entitle everyone to a fair trial and the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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The human rights body also said the investigation of the Provincial Internal Affairs Services of the Batangas Police Provincial Office should lead to the filing of charges against officers who violated the protocols.
“Ensuring that those responsible are held accountable is crucial in restoring public trust in law enforcement and in preventing future violations,” the CHR stressed.