The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is set to investigate the complaint for alleged abuse and sexual misconduct filed against certain officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Calamba City, Laguna.
CHR Spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said that there was a video that was "nakakabahala" (disturbing) because it showed the policemen resorting to "pananakit at panghihipo" (violence and indecent touching).
De Guia, a lawyer, said the victim claimed that she was forcibly taken inside a vehicle where she was punched in the stomach, slapped, and threatened, and that she was abused by a police officer when he touched her private part just so he could be sure that she was a woman.
The police officers who would be investigated were not named by De Guia.
"Sa lahat ng pagkakataon, paalala mismo ng PNP Manual of Operation na siguraduhing lubos na kinakailangan at nararapat lang sa lebel ng banta ang paggamit ng pwersa. Anumang pagmamalabis ay maaring humantong sa paglabag sa karapatang pantao, (In all cases, the PNP Manual of Operation itself reminds us to make sure that the use of force is absolutely necessary and appropriate to the level of threat. Any abuse can lead to human rights violations)," she said.
Also, De Guia said the CHR will look into the irregular arrest made by the policemen of the victim's father, since he was taken to a vacant lot instead of the police precinct.
She said this was "taliwas sa tamang proseso ng pag-aresto at maaaring lumabag sa karapatan ng inaresto" (contrary to the proper process of arrest and may violate the right of the arrested).