CHR investigates 'One Time, Big Time' bloodshed

MANILA, Philippines —The Commission on Human Rights on Sunday announced it has initiated investigations after 80 people were killed in anti-drug operations across Luzon in the past week.

Among the drug-related deaths it is probing are one in Bulacan, Laguna and Cavite and areas in Metro Manila, including the killing of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos in Caloocan City.

"The Commission through its regional offices has already commenced its motu proprio (roughly, on its own initiative) investigation on the alleged EJK cases,” Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana, CHR EJK Task Force head, said.

“Investigators have been dispatched to Bulacan, Biñan, Laguna and Manila since the killings happened,” she said.

CHR, which expressed alarm over the spate of drug-related killings, explained that a motu proprio investigation is a probe initiated even without any complaints filed.

According to the CHR, around 80 people were killed in so-called “one-time, big-time” operations early this week, prompting the investigations.

Philippine National Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa has defended the operations and the high casualty count.

“Normal. Malawakan yung ating operation e. Marami tayong inoperate so normal na mangyari yan,” he said last Friday.

“Masakit talaga sa pamilya yan na mamatayan ka. We understand their feeling. We are very sorry. We are very sorry for what happened,” he said.

He, however, added: “We’d rather buhay yung pulis ko kesa patay yung pulis ko. Yan lang po sa akin.”

READ: Dela Rosa sorry over boy's death, defends drug war killings

CHR: Not against admin's war on drugs

In pursuing probes into these deaths, CHR reiterated that the institution is not against the administration’s war on drugs. However, it said that the commission believes that “the methodology that the government is currently implementing put the lives of the Filipino people in danger.”

“Hindi naming tinututulan. May tungkulin ang estado sa usapin ng protecting the people pero dapat may human rights perspective. Hindi dapat ma-traumatize ang mga tao,” CHR Chairman Chito Gascon, whose office has been the target of tirades from the president and from Duterte supporters on social media, said.

READ: Duterte: Shoot CHR if they obstruct justice | CHR: Congress knows commission's role, mandate

“The approach should be harm reduction. Tulungan natin sila na maging productive citizens kaysa ma-vilify at ma-target. Tulungan natin sila matugunan ang problema nila sa droga na may pagkilala sa kanilang dignidad,” he added.

Gascon also called on the Duterte administration to consider alternative means in its intensified crackdown against illegal drugs since the CHR believes the drug problem in the Philippines stems from the socio-economic problems, including poverty and unemployment.

READ: CHR expresses alarm over high number of deaths, commences motu proprio investigations https://t.co/oUMNXTcm06 pic.twitter.com/cViee89WTL

— CHR Philippines (@chrgovph) August 20, 2017

Rehab, support and livelihood

The commission suggested rehabilitation, psychological support and sustainable livelihood as possible solutions for the illegal drug trade and addiction.

“Gusto ba natin ng isang lipunan na talamak ang patayan sa kahit saan? Hindi ba dapat ginagawa ng estado ang lahat para masupil ang kromen nang may pagkakilala sa dignidad ng lahat?” Gascon said.

“We are in a democratic government, but there are a lot of killings. The price of freedom and democracy is eternal vigilance. If we let our guards down, we might lose our freedom,” he added.

Separate investigations ongoing

Meanwhile, the investigators of CHR-National Capital Region have coordinated with the Delos Santos family regarding Kian’s death. They were also given permission to conduct an autopsy on the young victim.

“Malungkot po kami na naging kabilang sa rising death toll ang mga kabataan. Marami na ring mga bata, sa iba’t –ibang konteksto, ang napaslang, nasaktan, at nawalan ng magulang malungkot po kami lalo pa’t napasllang ng isang pulis ang batang pangarap din maging isang police,” Gascon said.

Pimentel-Gana said Kian’s death was tragic and assured the Delos Santos family that the CHR has been doing its part.

“We want to make sure that the case is attended promptly and thoroughly,” she said.

According to police accounts, Kian ran away and shot it out with officers from Police Community Precinct 7 along Block 7 Riverside in Barangay Baesa at around 8:45 in the evening on Wednesday.

However, local media reported that video footage shows the boy being dragged by police officers to the place where he was killed.

Witnesses also claimed that Kian was blindfolded and beaten when he was arrested.

Bulacan and Biñan bloodshed

Aside from Kian’s case, the CHR is also investigating the alleged EJKs in Bulacan and in Biñan, Laguna

Pimentel-Gana said they already have a copy of CCTV footage in Biñan, which she considers “crucial” evidence

“Our investigator in Region IV-A is also in the process of seeking permission to extract statements from possible witnesses ,” the commissioner said.

The Palace and the rest of the government has denied that there are state-sanctioned killings of drug suspects, but President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this week praised operations in Bulacan province that led to the deaths of 32 people.

"Yung namatay daw sa Bulacan kanina, 32 (Thirty two people died in Bulacan) in a massive raid. Maganda yun (That’s good),” the president said during the 19th anniversary of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption in Malacañang.

“Pumatay tayo (Let’s kill) another 32 everyday, maybe we can reduce what ails this country," he added.

READ: 'Maganda 'yun': President praises bloody Bulacan raids 

The next day, at least 20 people were killed in operations in Manila.