The Commission on Human Rights-Palawan Provincial Office (CHR-PPO) has received seven complaints during the entire implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in the province, apart from the new cases that they are now receiving for the month of May.
According to the data of CHR-Palawan, in the said seven total cases, four of these are about the “Economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR),” two cases about the “Right to life” and one case about the “Right to Security and Liberty.”
Three of these cases are the controversial shooting incident that transpired in Green Island, Bgy. Tumarbong in the Municipality of Roxas last April 7 of which allegedly, a member of Bantay-Dagat fired the four fishermen, the alleged illegal arrest and arbitrary detention of a resident of Bgy. Caramay, also in the Municipality of Roxas last April 20 after she posted her opinion on her facebook account against their barangay captain, and the untimely death of a one-year-old girl who was allegedly denied travel by the PNP checkpoint of Bataraza to nearby hospital for immediate medical attention. Investigation for these incidents is still ongoing as of press time.
The other four (4) cases are the request of the residents of Bgy. San Pedro in the City of Puerto Princesa, in El Nido, and also in Green Island, Roxas for CHR’s assistance for them to be included in the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of DSWD, as stipulated in RA 11469 o commonly known as the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.”
According to CHR Regional Director Dennis Mosquera, the Commission on Human Rights is doing its part to act on the complaints despite of the limited movement during this time that a community quarantine measure is being implemented.
“[Nasa] Initial [investigation] pa lang [kami] kasi hindi nga masyadong makagalaw [ngayon] dahil nga [nasa] quarantine [period pa tayo] although initially, may mga nakausap na [kami].
Kukunan pa ng salaysay ang mga witness, makausap natin, sana magbibigay sila, para maituloy ‘yung pag-iimbestiga,” Mosquera said in relation to the Green Island case.
He also added that after the conduct of investigations and they will find out that a person’s human right is violated, they will help the said victim or the complainant to file his or her complaint to the fiscal’s office.
And for the incident in Bgy. Caramay, the head of CHR in Mimaropa Region said that, upon the issue was brought up to the social media, he immediately directed the CHR-Palawan to act on the issue.
“Nakausap ko mismo ‘yung babae na complainant at nag-iisip pa siya kung itutuloy nila ‘yung reklamo pero itutuloy namin ang imbestigasyon kasi baka naman may ebidensiya rin kahit na hindi siya magreklamo dahil parang lumalabas di ba, inaresto siya?” Mosquera said. “Titingnan po namin ang lahat ng sirkumstansiya kung ano po ang nangyari talaga,” he added.
He also assured the public that the infant’s death in Bataraza will likewise be investigated by their Palawan personnel.
And as the Province of Palawan, like the other provinces in Mimaropa has been downgraded from ECQ to GCQ, CHR Regional Director Mosquera enjoin the Palawenos to obey the protocols being implemented by the authorities and support them as well as part of the measures in beating the Covid-19.
For any complaints or advise, the CHR-PPO can be reached through the cellphone numbers 0948-109-2577 and 0975-458-8762 and through 0919-857-6451, the personal number of the CHR Regional Director Mosquera.
Meanwhile, the Commission that for the last three decades serves the Filipino people, especially the weak, the overlooked and marginalized sector, celebrated its 33th Anniversary on May 5 with the theme “Service and Concern: Promote dignity and rights even in times of crisis and disaster.”
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