CHR teams to probe Cadungog ambush, twin PDEA killings

CEBU, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights in Central Visayas has formed three teams to separately look into identified priority cases, including the purported attempt to kill councilman Jessielou Cadungog of Barangay Tejero, Cebu City.

The other cases are the separate killings of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency officers Baby Earl Rallos and Von Rian Tecson.

The three cases, labeled as extrajudicial killings, are being pinned on policemen.

Testimonials and other evidence are still being collated by the teams, said CHR-7 Director Arvin Odron, who refused to reveal them so as to avoid any disruption.

"The CHR (regional office) is still in the process of investigating incidents of EJK's which implicated some active members of the PNP," he said.

He explained that CHR steps into these cases as it is one of its primary mandates to serve as an investigative body, particularly concerned on issues related to human rights.

He said the separate probes were initiated to determine whether or not government forces have committed human rights violations, for instance, the right to life.

"Should there be findings of human rights violations, our office will then transmit the case folder to a quasi-judicial body, such as the Office of the Ombudsman or the DOJ (Department of Justice) Prosecutor's Office for the determination of the existence of probable cause either for homicide or murder against the accused," he said.

However, before anything else the CHR must hear both sides before it decides to transmit or refer the case to the appropriate agency for prosecution, he added. (FREEMAN)