The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has called on the government to take immediate actions against the increasing incidents of violence in the country.
What troubles the commission, the CHR said, is that certain groups have been targeted by such violence such as women, children, minorities, and even government officials.
It cited the recent incidents on the killings of Barangay Councilor Aldrin Pantos in Sta. Maria, Bulacan, and college student Queen Leanne Duguinsin in Dasmariñas City, Cavite.
The incidents prompted the CHR to conduct its own investigations.
It said that based on police reports, the councilor’s lone gunman remains unidentified, but the suspect in the killing of Daguinsin had been apprehended.
"As the country’s national human rights institution, CHR strongly condemns the increasing prevalence of violence in our communities," the CHR said in a statement.
"We stress that violence, in any form, undermines human dignity, erodes social stability, and violates individuals’ fundamental human rights," it stressed.
Given the prevalence of these incidents, the CHR said that these should not be taken lightly and the government should prioritize the protection of all Filipinos through impartial law enforcement and justice systems that ensure full accountability against perpetrators.
"We call on community and national leaders, policymakers, and officials to take concrete steps to prevent and address these acts of violence in our communities," the CHR said.
"By exercising our fundamental rights to speech and participation, we support the calls for justice and redress for the affected as well as stand up against these heinous acts," it also said.
It stressed that it is the "collective responsibility" of all Filipinos to create a culture of peace and respect human rights.
By addressing the root causes of violence, it said that Filipinos can genuinely create a safer and more just society.