CHR probes public shaming of tuyo thief

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is investigating the public shaming of an alleged thief of P16,000 worth of dried fish or “tuyo” at a market in Tanauan City.

“The decision of the mayor of Tanauan City to subject the alleged thief to a walk of shame is a grossly illegal act that violates due process, presumption of innocence and freedom from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment,” said Marc Titus Cebreros, chief of the CHR information and communication division.

“There is no law authorizing public shaming at any point of the criminal justice process. We call on all local chief executives to ensure that their actions are strictly in accordance with the law,” he said.

A video on the Facebook account of Tanauan City showed the man being ordered by members of Tanauan’s civil security unit to walk around the public market with the sign “Ako’y magnanakaw. ‘Wag akong tularan” posted at the back and in front of his shirt.

CHR chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales  said Mayor Thoy Halili should be investigated for abuse of power for his role in allegedly ordering the shame campaign.

“They did not physically hurt him but there is this psychological humiliation. Apart from being a violation of the Bill of Rights, it is also a violation of the Civil Code,” she said.

Halili for his part, said he is ready to face all the charges.“The suspect is a recidivist,” he said. ”If it happens again, I won’t hesitate to do it again.”

He admitted that he approved the posting of the video to give the suspect a lesson.