64
2020 Annual Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines
Regions
Number of Cases Investigated
V
9
VI
14
VII
2
VIII
13
IX
1
X
0
XI
13
XII
25
CARAGA
3
Total
229
Enforced Disappearances, Torture Cases, Arbitrary Arrests, and
Revival of Death Penalty during the COVID-19 Pandemic
224
For the period January-September 2020, the CHR received five complaints of enforced
disappearances, with a total of eight victims from various regional offices, namely in
regions III, IV-A, and XII.
225
Torture still exists even during the pandemic, and even with the Anti-Torture Act of
2009 in place. In fact, CHR Region I Office documented one (1) torture case involving
one Carl Max Papa, a rape suspect. Allegedly, he was maltreated by some PNP officers of
Aringay PNP, Aringay, La Union, before he managed to escape. Later, his cadaver was
found in Tuba, Benguet. This case is also being investigated by the CHR-CAR Office
in Baguio City.280 Another case is posted on Facebook by Elsa Calderon-Carlos (Elsa)
dated 01 May 2020, where she alleged the torture committed against Guillermo “Emong”
Calderon, a PWD, by the elements of Jala-Jala Municipal Police Station. The investigation
by the CHR Region IV-A is ongoing.281 282
226
At the height of the community lockdown in Davao City due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
three (3) residents were arrested by a barangay official and three (3) police officers for violation
of the imposed curfew. The said residents were ordered to perform a “duck walk” going to
the basketball court as punishment. Upon arriving at the basketball court, the said officials
saw five (5) more individuals violating the curfew. One of the police officers ordered them
to perform push-ups, squat thrust, star jump, and other exercises. Likewise, with their eyes
closed, they were struck on their hands and feet with a baton. These curfew violators were
then ordered to swim in the filthy sewer. Upon receipt of this report, the CHR Regional
Office 11 communicated with the police station where the police officers were assigned.
The said station’s Human Rights Officer stated that their office will conduct a fair and
thorough investigation and will welcome complaints from the victims.283
280
Romero, A. (2020). Region 1 HR Situation Report. La Union: CHR Regional Office 1.
281
Report on the Human Rights Situation of the Disadvantaged, Marginalized and Vulnerable Sectors in
CALABARZON ( January-June 2020). San Pablo City: CHR Regional Office IV-CALABARZON.
282
More torture case/degrading punishment during community quarantine, See (2020). Regional Human Rights
SituationReport January 2020 to June 2020. Davao City: CHR Regional Office 11.
283
2020). Regional Human Rights Situation Report January 2020 to June 2020. Davao City: CHR Regional Office 11.