Party-list exec’s slay discourages political participation, says CHR

Commission on Human Rights INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A party-list president’s deadly ambush increases fear within communities to participate in political activities, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said Friday.

Ponciano Onia, president of the Abono Party-list that represents the agriculture sector in Congress, was gunned down while on his way home in Umingan town in Pangasinan last December 7. He died while receiving treatment at the Umingan Community Hospital on the same day.

Onia was also an incumbent councilor in Umingan and was seeking reelection via the May 2025 polls. Umingan Vice Mayor Chris Tadeo earlier condemned the killing, hinting that it could be politically-motivated.

READ: Abono party-list president gunned down in Pangasinan

For CHR, such acts of violence toward public officials threaten the goal of building safer and more peaceful communities nationwide.

“The gravity of such incidents cannot be overstated, as they also cultivate a culture of fear within communities, discouraging constituents from participating in political activities out of concern for their safety,” the rights body said in a statement.

The CHR also said it launched its own investigation on Onia’s slay.

READ: Comelec to PNP: Resolve slay case of South Cotabato vice mayoral bet

The CHR urged concerned government agencies to ensure the protection of public servants “who dedicate themselves to becoming local leaders.” It said public servants must be able to perform their duties safely.

“It is high time that we address these crimes before they bring heavier implications to our democratic processes. Filipinos should not live in fear, nor should they become desensitized to attacks and killings,” it said.