The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has openly criticized Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte’s recent declaration of war against drugs, following reports of five drug suspects being fatally shot within a span of 24 hours.
The violent crackdown came just two days after Mayor Duterte’s pronouncement, prompting the CHR to launch an official investigation.
“The right to life itself, even if they are arrested for an alleged criminal offense,” the CHR emphasized, is a fundamental human right.
The reported killings have raised alarms over potential human rights violations, prompting CHR Region XI to take immediate action in response to the events in Davao City.
The commission has denounced these alleged extrajudicial killings as grave human rights violations that compromise the principles of justice and the rule of law.
“These acts constitute grave violations of fundamental human rights,” stated the CHR in a stern rebuke of the incidents.
The CHR acknowledges the severity of the drug issue in the Philippines and the need for urgent and effective anti-drug initiatives.
However, it stresses that extrajudicial measures only contribute to a culture of impunity and fear, undermining the rule of law and obstructing real progress in combatting drug-related issues at their roots.
The statement from the CHR calls for a shift towards comprehensive strategies that respect human rights and adhere to legal standards.
It underscores the State’s duty to protect its citizens and to ensure accountability for any human rights abuses, particularly in relation to anti-drug campaigns.
The CHR reasserts its readiness to work with government entities at all levels to support thorough investigations and uphold due process. The commission’s stance is firm: adherence to human rights and the pursuit of justice are paramount in addressing the drug problem in the Philippines.
