CHR to probe Duterte assault on court sheriff

MANILA, Philippines—Seeing “traces of human rights violation,” the Commission on Human Rights  office in Davao City is to conduct an investigation into Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s assaulting a sheriff while he was enforcing a court order for the clearance of a shantytown.

CHR Region 11 Director Alberto Sipaco Jr. said he would initiate an investigation “as soon as possible” to determine possible human rights violations when Duterte hit Sheriff Abe Andres several times for implementing a demolition order in Davao’s Agdao district in defiance of the mayor’s instructions.

“You know, I have viewed the incident through the television. Through my conception, there seems to be traces of human rights violations,” Sipaco told the Inquirer by phone on Friday.

Asked to clarify where possible violations may have occurred, Sipaco said: “There was punching.”

“In order to give an unbiased appraisal and appreciate the facts, I have to conduct an investigation.  Under our mandate, we could investigate a case motu proprio (on its own initiative),” Sipaco said.

He said he will locate Andres to get his statement and then seek Duterte’s side on the incident.

“I have to take his stand.  After that, I will confer with the mayor, show her the statement for the mayor’s appraisal.  Then we will get her side,” Sipaco said.