2021 National Human Rights Situation Report 11 44 On 06 March 2021, a victim left his workplace to go somewhere. On 07 March 2021, he was found dead along Sitio Peday, Loacan, Itogon, Benguet. Police found one sachet of white crystalline substance suspected as shabu in his bag. He had marks of strangulation in the neck, a stab wound in the chest and signs of being beaten up.30 45 The victim was found along Labey-Lacamen Road, Ambuklao, Bokod, Benguet. From the police report, it was found that there was a small heated-plastic containing white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu. It also appears that the victim was strangled since there were strangulation marks on his neck and puncture wounds in the chest.31 46 The killing of drug suspects and personalities are being carried with impunity. This is more alarming than questionable deaths during police operations since accountability for these violations are much more elusive.32 47 Malabanan was shot dead in the vicinity of their home in Samar. According to his wife, he was shot inside their small store while watching television when she heard a gunshot. She did not see the gunman but a shot in the head killed Jes instantly. Malabanan is a member of the Pampanga Press Club, he was also a correspondent of the Manila Standard Today. He was a long-time stringer of the news organization Reuters. He has worked with them on their stories on the drug war, which won a Pulitzer Prize in 2018.33 Torture 48 A group of minors who violated curfew hours imposed by the government in Barangay Gatid, Sta. Cruz, Laguna were placed in a dog cage as punishment by the Barangay Chairperson last 15 March 2021. The apprehension was in line with the barangay’s “Oplan Bantay, Lock and Load’ or “Oplan Aso”. The Commission on Human Rights immediately issued a statement emphasizing that “while the CHR is not oblivious of the prevailing public health emergency that sustains the imposition of curfew, not only in Barangay Gatid, but in most barangays across the country, this fact alone does not and cannot excuse anyone from infringing human rights. Cramping alleged offenders in an improvised cage intended for canines as punishment, whether in part or in whole, for violating an ordinance is definitely cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment”. The arrested minors were released and a complaint for child abuse is now being heard in court.34 49 The private prosecutor on the grave coercion case has filed a Motion for Reconsideration arguing that the accused punong barangay should have been charged with Serious Illegal Detention. The resolution on the motion is still pending.35 30 Commission on Human Rights Cordillera Administrative Region. (2021, August). HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION REPORT ON THE MONITORING OF COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAM CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION. 31 Commission on Human Rights Cordillera Administrative Region. (2021, August). HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION REPORT ON THE MONITORING OF COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAM CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION. 32 Commission on Human Rights Cordillera Administrative Region. (2021, August). HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION REPORT ON THE MONITORING OF COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAM CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION. 33 Bolledo, J. (2021, December 8). Journalist Jess Malabanan shot dead in Samar. RAPPLER. Retrieved December 9, 2021, from https://www.rappler.com/nation/journalist-jess-malabanan-shot-dead-samar/ 34 CHR Regional Office IV-A (CALABARZON). (2021, January). 2020 Report on the Human Rights Situation of Disadvantaged, Marginalized and Vulnerable Sectors in Region IV-A (CALABARZON). 35 Commission on Human Rights Regional Office IV-CALABARZON. (2021, July). Report on the Human Rights Situation of Disadvantaged, Marginalized and Vulnerable Sectors in CALABARZON ( January to June 2021).