CHR condemns police killing of civilians in Tarlac
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has strongly condemned the killing of two unarmed civilians in Brgy. Cabayaoasan in Paniqui, Tarlac on Sunday afternoon and called on the government to put a stop to the culture of impunity in the country.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
The video of the police officer shooting two unarmed civilians - Sonya Gregorio, 52, and Frank Anthony Gregorio, 25 - at close range went viral on social media on Monday morning.
The police involved in the incident has been identified as Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca, a Philippine National Police (PNP) officer in active service assigned in the Parañaque City Crime Laboratory. He has already surrendered to the PNP.
CHR Spokesperson Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia said that the "brazen, senseless killing" of civilians deserves their strongest condemnation. "While investigations continue to ascertain the reason for the altercation, no one deserves to be deprived of their life at whim," she said.
De Guia added that the police force is expected to be disciplined, discerning, and professional. It is disheartening whenever a police officer does not adhere to the Philippine National Police motto of "To Serve and Protect."
"Each and every police is expected to protect our rights. As such, it is unacceptable when they are the ones being at the forefront of perpetuating such human rights violations," she said.
The CHR said that the shooting incident highlights the need for the government to conduct widespread investigations on every allegation of arbitrary killing. The promises made by the government to fulfill its human rights obligations must translate to actual results, in this case, improvements of the situation on the ground.
De Guia lamented that Filipinos have seen many cases of senseless deaths.
"The government cannot claim adherence to human rights principles and allow impunity to worsen by not making sure perpetrators are held to account. We are interested in knowing the truth behind these deaths because there is a demand for justice," De Guia said.
The CHR appealed to the public to act with caution in circulating the video and protecting the best interests of the child. "Vilifying the minor publicly, even posting the child's name and photos may inflict irreparable trauma that might worsen this situation. Let proper interventions deal with the child's situation separately," she said.
The CHR's Regional Office, for its part, will also be investigating the incident.