CHR: Good intentions do not make Tanauan 'walk of shame' right

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is determined to pursue the case against officials of Tanauan City in Batangas who are behind the parading of suspected criminals in public.

"I understand the dilemma of the local government as well as the frustration of the public," CHR Region IV director Jackie de Guia said on "Balitanghali" on Friday. "What we are only espousing here [is] adherence to the rule of law."

De Guia made the statement days after Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili made several arrested suspects, including women, walk in public with signs saying they were drug pushers.

Before that, suspected thieves and a suspected rapist had been paraded in the city.

De Guia said complaints against Halili and other local officials have already been filed, and that they are looking into them.

"The CHR looks in the violation of the rights, for example, of the rape incident, as well as those who were paraded. Kasi we believe that when we talk of human rights, it must apply equally to all," she said.

De Guia said the CHR will release its resolution on the first two incidents in the next few days. The resolutions covered the case of the suspected dried fish thief in 2014 and the alleged cable snatcher in 2015.

De Guia said the two cases were consolidated into one and was delayed by lack of personnel and a surge of cases in the regional office.

While no specifics were revealed, De Guia said "a cursory examination of all existing laws" to see "what laws have been violated by the respondents" was carried out.

"For example, with government officials, we try to look at the code of conduct of government officials. We try to look at the mandate of the DILG and the Ombudsman over elected officials and appointed officials. In case naman of other aspects, we look at existing special laws," she explained.

Halili had earlier said he will continue his shame campaign regardless of the CHR's actions. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News