Number of cases of human rights violation filed with CHR declines
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Regional Director David Bermudo said the number of cases on violations of Human Rights in 2008 has declined when compared to last year's more than 100 cases.
CHR regional chief Bermudo said, this year, they only received 87 cases as of November all over Western Visayas that are worthy of investigation.
Cases filed with the CHR Regional Office 6 stemmed from 18 physical injuries, 12 cases on the violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Rights of Children, 11 cases on the violation of the Rights of Women and their Children or RA 9262, 9 cases of murder, 8 cases of harassment, 3 grave threats and 4 light threats.
Four more cases in Antique province were filed before the CHR this year.
Victims of Human Rights violation were mostly children with 19 victims; women, 18; ordinary civilians, 12 and ordinary laborers, 7.
Other victims of Human Rights violations were a journalist, member of a cause-oriented group, a pastor, member of the CAFGU, person with disability, prison inmate, sidewalk vendor, barangay councilor, and a member of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Violations of Human Rights in Region 6 were Iloilo province and city, 34 cases; Negros Occidental, 32 cases; Aklan, 6 cases; Capiz, 5 cases, and Guimaras, 2 cases.
Policemen topped the category of suspects with 27 personnel complained of. Other suspects were ordinary civilians, 10; members of the Philippine Army, 10; husbands, 8; and, fathers, 3; New People's Army, 3; RPA-ABB, 3; and unidentified armed men, 4.
Jail guard, sheriff, member of the CAFGU, teacher, 2 barangay councilors, and 5 barangay captains are also suspects on the cases.
Bermudo said the decline in the number of cases filed in their office this year could be attributed to the growing public awareness on Human Rights and the training courses of PNP and AFP personnel. (PNA)