The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) was subjected to criticism following the release of director Alyx Arumpac's "Aswang," a documentary on individuals detained in a "secret jail" in 2017.

Those who have seen the chilling documentary, which showed men and women locked up sans charges inside a room without windows or lights in Manila Police District's Station 1 in Raxabago, as testament to their inaction.

In "HUWAG MATAKOT: An Aswang Post-Screening Forum" held July 23, Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit said she understands people's frustrations after seeing the documentary but she maintained, "It's not really an exposé about CHR" maintaining it is more about "the ills that have happened in this campaign against criminality."

Gomez-Dumpit admitted they have "weaknesses in the field," noting the CHR is basically a watchdog group, functioning as "second check and balance" on activities carried out by the government.

"We are basically an investigative body, we monitor. Our investigations are not police investigations," she stressed.

But given people's expectations, Gomez-Dumpit said they often feel "overwhelmed."

She maintained, however, they are doing their best to make sure that people's rights are protected.

"We try to do our level best. No matter how good your plans are, you cannot predict what happens on the ground," she said.

The CHR visited the "secret jail" on April 27, 2017. They subsequently filed a case before the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the incident on May 11 that same year.

They also participated in the inquiry conducted by the Committee on Human Rights of the House of Representatives. There, they presented their findings on how things were run at MPD Station 1.

The CHR has likewise developed its own Protection and Prevention Clusters. It is also working with the government and civil society organizations to improve the situation of deprived persons of liberty (PDLs) and prevent any form of abuse.