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'Death penalty' for illegal garbage dumping? A 'severe disregard for human rights' -- CHR

Published May 18, 2024 02:44 am  |  Updated May 18, 2024 02:44 am

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has slammed as "severe disregard for human rights" a barangay (village) ordinance in Bangued, Abra that proposed "execution or death penalty" for the third offense of illegal garbage dumping.

In a statement, the CHR said the ordinance and the subsequent posting of tarpaulin showing a picture of a gun that connotes execution or death as penalty for the third offense "trivialize" the most fundamental right of all -- the right to life. 

It said the ordinance sought to penalize garbage dumping with P1,000 for the first offense, P1,000 and eight hours of community service for the second offense, and "getting shot" for the third offense.

Due to the uproar spawned by the ordinance and the tarpaulin, six officials of barangay Calaba in Bangued had been suspended for 90 days.

"While we recognize the importance of proper waste management and ordinances that will improve residents' waste disposal practices within their communities, such cruel directives and offenses does not address the problem, instead, it only perpetuates confusion, perplexity, and distress among the constituents," the CHR said.

"These heinous remarks have not only caused social unrest but also posed a direct threat to the right to life. The Commission urges everyone, particularly local leaders and people in power, to refrain from making light of such sensitive topics. The right to life is a fundamental human right that must be respected and protected at all times," it added.

The CHR reminded barangay officials that its ordinances provide a framework for governance and enforcement of laws. As such, these must align with national laws and respect fundamental human rights, it said.

The CHR likewise stressed that the death penalty is prohibited under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, and its reimposition was officially abolished in 2006. "We reaffirm our stance against capital punishment and we are firm in our resolve to defend the sanctity of human life," it also said.

At the same time, the CHR acknowledged the swift action of Bangued town Mayor Mila Valera to hold the involved barangay officials accountable, as this shows that local leaders are responsible for serving the immediate interests of their constituents.

"Above all, they should embody the morals and values of leadership, particularly in respecting everyone’s rights," it stressed. 

Related Tags

death penalty Commission on Human Rights Sangguniang Kabataan garbage Barangay officials Bangued Ordinance
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