Probe killing of 17 women activists, Leila asks colleagues

Opposition Sen. Leila de Lima urged her fellow senators to investigate the alleged summary killings of 17 women rights defenders under the Duterte administration.

In filing Senate Resolution No. 573, De Lima cited records of human rights groups Tanggol Bayi and Karapatan, showing that 17 women activists were supposedly killed since President Duterte rose to power in July last year.

Most of the victims of alleged summary executions were peasant leaders and human rights advocates, according to the groups.

De Lima said the state had an obligation to protect human rights defenders, especially those who were abused as a consequence of their gender and activism.

“They should be protected by all relevant agencies and mechanisms of government, by way of investigation and prosecution of those who may be liable for deaths, physical assaults, verbal violence, and other forms of abuses,” she added.

The detained senator urged her colleagues to prioritize issues concerning women rights defenders not only to stop the culture of violence in the country but also to stamp out all forms of discrimination against women.