CHR to probe slay try on mayoral candidate in Misamis Occidental

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday said it will be conducting an investigation on the recent attempt on the life of a mayoral candidate in Calamba, Misamis Occidental.

Based on a police report, independent mayoral candidate George Matunog Jr. was walking with his security escort back to his home from a convenience store around 9:20 a.m. on Sunday when fired upon by an unknown gunman aboard a motorcycle.

The police said the bullet hit the nape of Matunog and exited from his right cheek. He survived the shooting and is now in stable condition.

In a statement, CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia expressed concern over the “brazen assault” on Matunog.

“Continued occurrences of vigilante-violence to electoral candidates, if left unabated, may lead to a chilling effect on our electoral system and negatively impacts the country’s security and the democratic process in general,” De Guia said.

De Guia called the authorities to swiftly investigate such incidents and hold the perpetrators accountable.

"We cannot allow this culture of violence and impunity be a norm during the election period. We equally urge the government to swiftly act and investigate these incidents to hold perpetrators to account," she added.

The Calamba Municipal Police Station said it conducted a hot pursuit operation against the fleeing suspect or suspects. —Richa Noriega/KBK, GMA News