CHR welcomes Bato’s apology, reminds public officials to value right to life

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday welcomed the apology of  neophyte Senator Ronald dela Rosa for his "shit happens" remark.

“We welcome the apology of Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ de la Rosa on the unfortunate remark he made about the death of a three-year old being a collateral damage of buy-bust operation in Rodriguez, Rizal,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement.

Dela Rosa earlier apologized to the family of the three-year old Myca Ulpina who died in the middle of a police operation.

The former Philippine National Police chief said that he chose the wrong words when he meant to say was “unfortunate incident happens.

The CHR said Dela Rosa’s admitted mistake should be a reminder to all public officials to uphold the importance of the right to life, "not only in words but also in actions."

“May this be a reminder to all public officials to always protect the primacy of the right to life—both in words and actions. We cannot diminish its importance, alongside all other human rights, as they are crucial in living a dignified life,” De Guia said.

The CHR urged Dela Rosa to support bills and other measures that protect “the welfare of the most vulnerable and marginalized that equally respects the rule of law and human rights.” —LDF, GMA News