
“It is a sad day. We lost a very good man today.”
This was what Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said on the passing Saturday, Oct. 9, of Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Jose Luis Martin “Chito” Gascon.
“The CHR Chief was a well-respected person. His loss will inspire us even more to collaborate with the CHR to promote and protect human rights in our country,” Guevarra said.

The CHR had announced the passing of Gascon due to complications spawned by COVID-19 infection.
“Chair Chito will be deeply missed. We ask for prayers for the eternal repose of his soul,” CHR said in a statement.
It said further announcement on the details of Chairperson Gascon’s memorial will be made with due consideration to the restrictions of the pandemic.
It also said the CHR will continue to function with Commissioner Karen Gomez Dumpit as the officer-in-charge.
The CHR has been a member of various government taskforces on extra-judicial killings, deaths resulting in illegal drugs operations, and violations of human rights.
In many instances, it has been investigation on its own cases involving human rights violations in the country.