Detained Senator Leila de Lima has called on the Senate to investigate the reported human rights violations of some local authorities against arrested curfew violators during the reimplementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the "National Capital Region (NCR) Plus" bubble.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
In filing Senate Resolution NO. 703, De Lima said it is necessary for the Upper Chamber to look into the "senseless deaths" of reported violators under the hands of authorities during the ECQ, claiming these were manifestations of abuse of power by the government.
“These series of beatings which led to deaths of innocent victims is a demonstration of how the government is continuing with its campaign of systemic violence, climate of fear and impunity among officials and lack of regard for human rights,” De Lima said.
“Measures must be taken to ensure respect of our constitutionally-guaranteed rights, especially by the State who is duty bound to maintain peace and order, to protect life, liberty and property and to promote the general welfare of the public,” she added.
Since the NCR, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal and Bulacan -- the government's so-called "NCR Plus" bubble -- were placed on ECQ beginning last March 29, the national government deployed around 10,000 police personnel to man checkpoints.
De Lima pointed out that on the first day of reimplementation of ECQ alone, more than 5,400 violators of curfew and minimum health safety protocols were apprehended in NCR Plus.
Among the controversial incidents that were reported include the death of Darren Manaog Peñaredondo, who was nabbed by the barangay tanods of Brgy. Tejero, Cavite, last April 1 during curfew hours.
Peñaredondo was reportedly limping in pain upon returning home and told his partner about being told to do 300 rounds of a pumping exercise at Plaza Malabon as punishment by the authorities. He later had seizures and lost consciousness, had a stroke and eventually died.
Ernanie Jimenez also died after he was allegedly beaten up by arresting village watchmen for going outside his residence in Calamba, Laguna, at 10 p.m. He sustained numerous bruises, wounds and a broken skull.
Coincidentally, the Philippine National Police (PNP) released a statement that police would be barred from arresting quarantine violators and cannot impose punishments.
“Nakakakilabot ang ganitong mga insidente. Sa harap ng pandemya, kung kailan nag-iingat at nangangamba tayo sa pagkakasakit, ay may nangyayari pa ring karahasan na dahilan ng pagkamatay ng ating mga kababayan (These kind of incidents are hair-raising. In the midst of a pandemic, when we are supposed to avoid being sick, these kind of violence are happening and is the cause of death of some of our citizen),” De Lima pointed out.
“Kailangan itong imbestigahan upang tukuyin ang pananagutan ng mga sangkot, nang hindi na tularan ng iba at hindi na maulit pa ang ganitong trahedya (This needs investigation in order to identify and prosecute those who are involved so these kind of tragedy will stop),” she appealed.
De Lima said there is also an urgent need to hold accountable the public officers responsible for "the numerous attacks on our citizens right to life, liberty and property" during the reimplementation of the ECQ.
“If the COVID-19 pandemic persists which requires re-implementation of lockdowns and other mobility restrictions on citizens, the rules of engagement with and treatment of violators must be clarified as to ensure that no unnecessary injury or death is caused by abuse or misunderstanding by the quarantine implementers,” she said.