CHR probes slay of boy, 4, in Cebu drug raid

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has expressed alarm over recent killings in Cebu City including the death of a four-year-old boy during an anti-drug operation on Tuesday.

The CHR office in Central Visayas is investigating the death of Skyler Abatayo who was hit by a stray bullet in a drug raid in Sitio Bato, Barangay Ermita, CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said yesterday.

A police report said police officers swooped down on a suspected drug den and caught two men repacking shabu and two others in a drug session.

The suspects reportedly engaged police officers in a shootout, hitting Abatayo who was with his mother in one of the rooms at an abandoned house beside the drug den.

The boy was pronounced dead on arrival in a hospital.

“We regret that innocent children continue to be victims of violence linked to the campaign against illegal drugs,” De Guia said.

“We urge the Philippine National Police to conduct an honest investigation of the incident... to determine accountabilities and possible penalties for this wrongdoing,” she  added.

De Guia said the CHR is alarmed by ”worsening cycle of violence” in the country. She said attacks are ”more brazen, and the perpetrators seem to be emboldened as more crimes gets unpunished.”

The CHR also cited the killing of retired prosecutor Salvador Solima last week and a man who entered the Cebu archbishop’s residence on Tuesday.

4 drug suspects shot dead

Meanwhile, two drug suspects were killed by unidentified assailants and two others in alleged shootouts with police officers in the past two days.

Jailguard Jonathan Pava, 47, was driving his motorcycle on his way home when he was shot along Cerdeña street in San Jose, Antique on Wednesday.

Senior Inspector Frankie Gatila, San Jose police deputy chief, said Pava was a “high-value” target who surrendered under Oplan Tokhang.

In Cebu City, Glenn Mark Manal, 39, a former kagawad of Barangay Lorega, was shot along Imus road after attending the wake of a drug suspect who was gunned down at a market.

Senior Superintendent Royina Garma, Cebu City police chief, said probers are eyeing  illegal drugs as the motive for the killing, noting that the fatality was on the drug watchlist in Parian district.

In Rizal, Randy Miranda allegedly drew his gun when he sensed he had sold shabu to undercover agents in Barangay San Isidro, Cainta at past midnight yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Edward Carranza, Calabarzon police director, said Miranda was a supplier of illegal drugs to call center agents in Cainta and Pasig City.

In Cavite, Danilo Taguinod reportedly shot it out with anti-narcotics agents in Barangay Kaingen, Bacoor on Wednesday.  – With Jennifer Rendon, Non Alquitran, Emmanuel Tupas, Ermida Moradas, Mae Clydl Avila