Latest news with #CHR
GMA Network
18-07-2025
- GMA Network
CHR seeks swift prosecution of child sellers
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday called for the immediate prosecution of perpetrators of child selling, including through online platforms. CHR issued the statement in light of the case of a one-month-old child sold online. 'CHR expresses grave concern and vehemently condemns the ongoing practice of child selling in the country. The sale of children—even by their own parents, and regardless of intent—is a clear violation of Philippine law and constitutes child trafficking, punishable under Republic Act No. 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) and Republic Act No. 9208, as amended (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act),' it said. 'The government should immediately strengthen the monitoring and regulation of online platforms, enhance surveillance and investigative capabilities, as well as swiftly prosecute these perpetrators of child trafficking,' it added. In addition, the commission urgently called on the Philippine government to uphold its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Article 35 of the UNCRC provides that all state parties should 'take all appropriate measures to prevent the abduction, sale, or trafficking of children,' given that 'these acts represent grave human rights violations that must be addressed with utmost urgency.' 'Let us stand united against the exploitation of children. No child should ever be bought, sold, or treated as a commodity,' the CHR said. Further, it said individuals and couples seeking to adopt a child should do so under a legal and ethical process as provided under Republic Act No. 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act. 'Legal adoption safeguards the rights and welfare of the child. It is imperative that prospective adoptive parents follow lawful procedures,' the CHR said. 'We urge the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspected cases of child trafficking to the proper authorities. Protecting our children is a collective duty and a shared societal responsibility,' it added. —Llanesca Panti/LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
20-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
CHR calls for more legal protection for media workers
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday called on the government to provide more legal protection for media workers "to ensure press freedom, dissent, and civic participation." "CHR urges the Philippine government to act on the need to enhance the country's legal framework, including proposed legislation such as the Media Workers' Welfare Bill and Journalist Protection Bill, as well as existing mechanisms like Administrative Order No. 35 (creating an inter-agency task force on extrajudicial killings) and Executive Order No. 31, the decriminalization of libel, and a re-examination of key provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020," the CHR said in a statement. The CHR issued the statement after UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan urged the Philippine government to ratify international human rights treaties and restore its past ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. "The findings and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur align with the vision of a democratic society where every Filipino can participate in a healthy ecosystem of truthful information," added the CHR. The CHR also said there is a need to further strengthen the implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, as well as expand the mandate of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security. On the international level, CHR echoed Khan's call for the Philippines to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and to reaccede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. "Every Filipino's right to freedom of expression and opinion is inherently linked to access to diverse sources of information, protection from threats, and meaningful participation in public life. As such, CHR remains firm in its stand that while the Philippines has seen improvements in this area, there remains a clear need for fundamental reforms to ensure that the free flow of information remains central to the country's democracy," the CHR added. Likewise, the CHR echoed the Special Rapporteur's deep concern over the continued occurrences of red-tagging, persisting cases of enforced disappearances and media killings, incidents of arbitrary detention, and the vilification of human rights defenders. Meanwhile, the CHR also welcomed Khan's recommendation to strengthen the independence of the Commission through the passage of the CHR Charter Bill. CHR hopes that the recommendations set forth by the Special Rapporteur will reinforce the foundations already established toward fostering a safer environment for all Filipinos," said CHR. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
11-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
CHR, PANTAY ink partnership to advance gender equality in schools
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Philippine Anti-Discrimination Alliance of Youth Leaders (PANTAY) formalized a partnership to promote gender equality in educational institutions through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Monday, June 9, 2025. The agreement, signed by CHR Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc and PANTAY Executive Director Rye Manuzon, marks a significant step toward building safe, inclusive, and gender-sensitive learning environments across the country. The collaboration centers on PANTAY's Project GEIS (Gender Equality Index for Schools), which aims to assess and improve gender inclusivity in school settings. At the heart of the initiative are two tools: the Rainbow Report Card, an assessment tool that helps schools evaluate their gender equality policies and practices, and the Rainbow School Kit, a practical guide that outlines actionable steps schools can take to meet the standards set in the report card. 'This partnership with PANTAY is aligned with the CHR's mandate to uphold the rights and dignity of all, especially the youth and members of the LGBTQI community,' said Palpal-latoc. "Through this initiative, we aim to help foster learning spaces where every student feels safe, respected, and empowered.' CHR Center for Gender Equality and Women's Human Rights Officer-in-Charge Atty. Twyla Rubin underscored the Commission's proactive stance in promoting inclusive education and broader gender equality efforts. 'We are not just allies. We see ourselves as champions for gender equality, especially since the CHR is the Gender and Development Ombud,' Rubin said. "We are steadfast in our commitment to be with you and partner schools in the continuing struggle to make all Philippine schools inclusive, in the greater fight to pass the SOGIE Equality Bill, alongside all other equality programs, policies, and initiatives.' Manuzon expressed optimism that the collaboration will inspire similar efforts across government institutions. 'Project GEIS and other initiatives towards gender equality are life-saving programs not just for queer people but every Filipino,' Manuzon said. "We hope that partnering with institutions like CHR can open up more opportunities for more national government agencies and local and national government officials alike to be allies for a more inclusive, just, equitable, and equal Philippine society for all.' The MOA signing highlights a growing movement among rights-based institutions and youth-led organizations to create inclusive spaces for all learners, regardless of gender identity or expression. —Sherylin Untalan/KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
09-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
CHR mulls completion of EJK probe by end of the year
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is eyeing to wrap up its years-long investigation into the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) under the Duterte administration's bloody drug war by the end of the year. CHR Commissioner Richard Palpal-Latoc on Monday said the commission has motu proprio investigated at least 4,000 cases of EJK-related deaths from 2016 to 2022. 'We investigate these cases to determine human rights violations,' Palpa-Latoc told the House Quadcomm during the continuation of the hearings on extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and illegal drugs. 'Sa ngayon, majority of these cases ay di pa tapos ang investigation because of the lack of cooperation from the PNP to share information regarding the cases,' he added. Palpal-Latoc also said the CHR experienced being denied access to evidence to EJK-related cases. However, he said newly installed PNP Chief Nicolas Torre expressed his commitment to cooperate with the CHR probe. 'The Commission has experience denial on different reasons by the PNP — access to records, police reports, and other pieces of evidence,' said Palpal-Latoc. Data from the PNP indicated there were 6,000 deaths during operations under the drug war. 'After the hearing, the chief PNP directed all units involved where the human rights is asking for the case folders of all these cases to cooperate, to provide. We already given orders in this regards,' Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay said. 'The directive is already there. Should any of our units refuse, please inform us,' he added. Manila Representative Benny Abante urged coordination between the two government bodies. '[Dapat] maging open tayo sa lahat ng ating pag-iimbestiga sapagkat napakatagal ng panahon eh. Pinag-uusapan natin ang alleged EJKs na nangyari from 2016 to 2022, 2025 na ngayon, three years na yan. Dapat magkaroon na tayo ng closure tungkol dito,' Abante said. In March, former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by Philippines authorities on the basis of the arrest warrant of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the alleged human rights abuses under his war on drugs. At least 6,200 suspects were killed in police operations based on government records under the controversial war on drugs. Data from human rights groups, however, said the actual death toll could be from 12,000 to 30,000. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
09-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Torre: Lethal force should be last resort during arrest
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Nicolas Torre III said Monday that lethal force should be the last resort in arresting a criminal. Torre made the statement in his speech during his courtesy visit to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Quezon City. 'Huwag kayong mag-alala yung [sa] sinasabi nating paramihan ng huli. I really don't believe na yan ay maaabuso. Napakalas naman ng loob ng pulis na para lang makahuli ay gagawa ho ng huli. Tapos na ho yun,' Torre said. (Don't worry about what we're saying about increasing the number of arrests. I really don't believe that will be abused. The police are not that desperate to fabricate an arrest. That is a thing of the past.) 'At dito, ang palagi kong ini-emphasize lethal force will only be used as a last resort. Buhay ang tao. Kaya kapag nag-reklamo sa CHR. Yan magkikita-kita tayo,' he added. (And here's what I always emphasize: lethal force will only be used as a last resort. The person is alive. So when you complain to the CHR. We will meet each other there.) Torre cited Article 11 of the Revised Penal Code that covers justifying circumstances and circumstances that exempt from criminal liability. 'Sa aresto, you will take somebody in custody. There is always a possibility that they will fight. So when they fight, papasok ngayon yung Article 11, justifying circumstances, self-defense,' Torre said in an ambush interview. 'Dedepensa ang pulis kung sa kanilang paningin ay endangered sila,' he added. (The police will defend themselves if they are endangered.) The PNP chief was responding to the concerns earlier raised by the CHR regarding his statement that the number of arrests will be a factor in the assessment of police officers. Torre said he will require police officers who conducted warrantless arrest to submit affidavits of arrest, which will be the basis for their promotions. 'Iisa ang proseso sa arrest without warrant. Dadalhin natin sa one document na kailangan para sa inquest which is defined as a summary proceedings conducted by a prosecutor to determine whether a person arrested without a warrant should remain in custody,' he said. (The process for arrest without a warrant is the same. We will take someone to inquest is the number one document needed for an inquest which is defined as a summary proceedings conducted by a prosecutor to determine whether a person arrested without a warrant should remain in custody.) 'Kaya karamihan ng affidavit of arrest ang aking batayan dahil yan ang pinakanakakatakot na trabaho ng pulis,' he added. (So mostly, affidavits of arrest are my basis because that is the most feared job of the police.) According to Torre, if police officers committed a violation or gave a wrong testimony, they will face punishment such as dismissal from the service and suspension from their posts. First courtesy visit by a PNP chief CHR chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc said Torre is the first PNP chief to pay a courtesy visit to the Commission. 'Buong puso naming binabati si Police General Nicolas Torre III sa kanyang panunungkulan bilang bagong chief ng PNP. Welcome po sa CHR. Makasaysayan yung pagdalaw niyo rito. Kauna-unahan ho yatang dumalaw ang Chief PNP sa Komisyon,' he said. (We wholeheartedly congratulate Police General Nicolas Torre III on his post as the new chief of the PNP. Welcome to the CHR. Your visit here is historic. It is the first time that the Chief PNP has visited the Commission.) Palpal-latoc said Torre's visit will improve the coordination between the CHR and PNP. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
