The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) started its own probe as it condemned the April 24 killing in Bacolod City of Alex Dolorosa, an organizer and paralegal officer of a business process outsourcing (BPO) union, the BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN). In a statement, the CHR said its probe is being conducted side by side with the investigation being done by the local authorities in Bacolod City. Earlier, the Department of Justice (DOJ) had mobilized the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the National Prosecution Service (NPS) to probe for case build-up on Dolorosa’s killing. The DOJ had also appealed to the those who have information about the incident, including Dolorosa’s family and friends, “to come forward and share what they have with the Department.” It said “the DOJ’s Witness Protection Program has already been ordered to protect any person who possess relevant information.” “If and when the witnesses are assessed and evaluated as eligible for protection, immediate protective custody will be taken,” it added. The CHR expressed hopes that all the investigations will help increase efforts in bringing the perpetrators to justice and uncovering the motives behind the act of violence. "We note that the local police is already exploring possible motives, including robbery and other reasons possibly driven by anger due to the inflicted injuries," it said. However, it said BIEN members claimed that Dolorosa’s death is connected to his union work.  It said the union alleged that two of their group’s national members have been charged in “trumped-up complaints.” The CHR said that it received reports that Dolorosa had been helping out colleagues with four labor cases a few days before his violent death. Also, it said reports stated that Dolorosa was directly involved in advocacies for labor rights and that his organization had been subjected to surveillance and red-tagging, which they deem as crucial factors to be considered in the investigation. With the reports, the CHR reiterated its call for the government to create stronger measures in upholding the rights of workers and union members in the country. "CHR is thus alarmed and compelled to act whenever there are cases of violence and death involving union leaders and workers as part of the country's vulnerable sectors," the CHR said. If not properly addressed, the CHR said the attacks against workers' union officers and members might lead to distrust and tension among workers, employers, and the government. It stressed the importance of respecting and protecting the rights of all workers, including the right to form and join unions, free from any form of intimidation, harassment, or violence.