The Department of Justice (DOJ) task force investigating extrajudicial killings is considering looking into the recent death of activist Sarah Alvarez in Bacolod City.
“We may consider her case for special investigation under AO (Administrative Order) 35 after some fact-checking,” said Guevarra, chairman of the Inter-Agency Committee on Extra-Judicial Killings, Enforced Disappearances, Torture and Other Grave Violations of the Right of Life, Liberty and Security of Persons.
Guevarra said the fact-checking will be conducted by the DOJ’s AO 35 Secretariat itself to determine if the case is under the jurisdiction of the task force.
The inter-agency committee was formed back in 2012 pursuant to Administrative Order (AO) 35 issued by then President Benigno Aquino III.
Police investigators said Alvarez was gunned down at around 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, at Ereco Subdivision in Bacolod City.
READ MORE: Human rights activist killed in Bacolod City
Human rights group Karapatan has issued a statement condemning the killing of Alvarez who is the 13th member killed during the administration of President Duterte.
Karapatan secretary general Cristina Pabalay said that Alvarez has been receiving death threats and called for an independent probe on the murders.
Last Aug. 10. National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant Randall “Randy” Echanis was killed at his rented house in Quezon City. He was buried on the day Alvarez was killed.
READ MORE: Anakpawis leader Randy Echanis laid to rest