CHR condemns rape of female detainees allegedly by 2 Marikina cops

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has condemned the rape of detainees allegedly perpetrated by policemen in Marikina City.

CHR spokesperson and lawyer Jacqueline Ann de Guia issued the statement a day after the arrest of two police officers accused of raping the detainees.

“The CHR is alarmed with the recent incident involving the alleged rape of detainees by two police officers of Marikina City. Even in the face of a national emergency, protection of human rights cannot be compromised, including those rights of the accused and persons deprived of liberty,” de Guia said.

“All individuals under investigation or involuntary restraint have the right against all forms of threats and violence. These rights are made available the moment an arrest or detention, with or without a warrant, is made.”

The incident, de Guia said, proves that women and girls are at risk of and are victims of different forms of gender-based violence even in times of crisis.

“Gender-based violence against women detainees stresses the importance of keeping our response mechanisms functional. Otherwise, we leave many women and girls without recourse during this health crisis, and this is even more urgent for women who are in vulnerable situations like women in detention,” de Guia said.

While the National Capital Region Police Office has acted on the case and arrested the two suspects, the CHR still called on the police to ensure that this incident won’t happen again and urged local government units to provide support for women in detention, including shelter support and information on the procedures for filing of complaints within institutions. --Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA News