The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has strongly condemned the recent killings of two transgender women as it pointed out that their deaths were “marked by cruelty and impunity.”

The CHR was referring to the shooting of Ali Macalintal last June 23. Macalintal, who was a former broadcaster and human rights advocate, was shot in General Santos City by an unidentified assailant who fled the scene using a motorcycle.

Despite being rushed to the hospital, Macalintal was declared dead on arrival after sustaining three gunshot wounds, it said.

“Her death, among other attacks on media workers, serves as a grave reminder of the risks faced by those working at the intersection of media and human rights,” the CHR said in a statement.

In another incident, the CHR said the lifeless body of Gian Mina, a proud and outspoken transgender woman, was found in Cagayan River near San Isidro, Iguig also last June 23.

It said that while authorities have already launched an investigation into her death, there is currently no confirmation made regarding the possibility of foul play.

It pointed out that there had been two reported transgender deaths this year. The first was 35-year-old Ren Tampus, a beauty salon owner, who was gunned down in January in General Santos, while the second was a transgender named Shalani, who was found dead and dismembered in February in Caloocan City.

The CHR said: “These killings, marked by cruelty and impunity, reflect a disturbing pattern of transfemicide -- the gender-based killing of transgender women -- driven by misogyny, transphobia, and the systemic belief that their lives are disposable. It is imperative that our society name this violence for what it is.”

It said the two recent cases have been turned over to its regional offices for investigation.

As the beginning of the 20th Congress draws near, the CHR called for the urgent passage of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, or Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Equality Bill and the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Bill.

It said the passage of the bills and their enactment into a law will not grant special privileges to the LGBTQIA community but will ensure a safe and just environment where they can live and thrive without fear.

It also said that while inclusion and acceptance have slowly become the norm in society, there is still so much to be done to finally put an end to the culture of transphobia, homophobia, and discrimination.