Cotabato City mayor brings ‘shame campaign’ to Facebook Live

The mayor of Cotabato City has taken the "shame campaign" on suspected criminals to a whole new level: through Facebook.

A report by GMA News' Mariz Umali on Unang Balita on Thursday said Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi used Facebook Live in presenting those apprehended during the city government's crackdown against snatchers.

"Warning sa mga snatchers: itigil niyo na 'yan!" Guiani-Sayadi said in the video. "Not in Cotabato City."

Also presented were those apprehended for allegedly selling stolen items.

"I don't really like to say bad words in public, pero may kalalagyan kayo," Guiani-Sayadi said.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has expressed disapproval at the practice of presenting to the public arrested suspects.

"Hindi tama na mag-prisinta ng mga suspects sa media o sa anumang pamamaraan in a public way kung saan sinasabi nga na sila ay nagkasala," said CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia.

"Dapat nating isaalang-alang na hindi pa ito nabibigyan ng tamang proseso o sumasailalim sa due process," she added.

"Maganda man 'yung layunin, dapat nating isaalang-alang na the end does not justify the means."

De Guia, a lawyer, also said they are hopeful Guiani-Sayadi will put down the videos "and not continue the practice."

"Patuloy 'yung isinasagawang imbestigasyon at titignan natin kung kinakailangang magsampa ng kaukulang mga kaso," she said.

Guiani-Sayadi, for her part, maintained she did not violate any law.

"I did not violate the law. CHR should also consider the number of victims in the city before giving any statement," she said.

The Philippine National Police has already stopped its practice of presenting suspected criminals to the media. —KBK, GMA News