The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday, April 12, denounced human brutality as it condemned the beating to death of a curfew violator in Calamba, Laguna last April 7.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
In a statement, the CHR said those responsible for the beating of Ernanie Lumban who died thereafter must be held accountable.
"It is strongly condemnable that the curfew policy, which is supposed to protect our right to health, became the reason for the deprivation of the utmost right to life," the CHR said through Spokesperson Jacqueline Anne de Guia.n a she added.
De Guia even said that beating a person over a minor offense may be tantamount to torture, as doing so is "an attack on human dignity."
"Such excessive punishment can be considered as grave abuse of authority and those who shall be proven to have committed an overreach must be held accountable," she said.
The CHR reiterated its call for authorities to impose community service for quarantine violators as an alternative to imposition of intense physical punishments or excessive fines or prison term. This call was even recommended by Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra, it said.
Published reports stated that Lumban, 26, was reported to Purok 2, Barangay Turbina after village guards caught him outside his home at 11 p.m. on April 7.
Lumban reportedly asked to pee in his own home, since he did not want to use public restrooms. When he was refused, he started running towards his house. The barangay tanods began to kick and hit him repeatedly as he was caught.
De Guia said it is "deeply concerning" that Lumban was reportedly beaten to death only a few days after the death of Darren Peñaredondo, another curfew violator in General Trias City, Cavite. The CHR offered its deep condolences to the family of Lumban, while its Region IV-A quick response team has started conducting an independent probe on the incident.
"In these difficult times, compassionate and human rights-based approach are essential in implementing quarantine rules to truly address the plight of all, especially the disadvantaged ones," De Guia stressed.