The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) was deeply concerned about the shooting and attempted murder of transport leader and Bayan Muna General Santos City coordinator Larry Villegas on Sunday – a reason for their office to launch a crime probe.
On March 13, it was reported that Villegas, 64, was shot by unidentified suspects at his house in barangay Buayan around 6 a.m. He was hit in the thigh and rushed to the hospital.
“Villegas was said to have been previously a recipient of death threats and was preparing to support a political campaign before this Sunday’s attack,” said CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia.
“Although Villegas survived the incident, CHR condemns this attack perpetrated towards a political convenor and urges for local police enforcers to act quickly in pursuit of those behind this crime.”
Whatever the motive, the government needs immediate action to prove that vigilante-style violence has no place in a democratic society.
This is happening despite a “gun ban” being enforced by the Commission on Elections and the Philippine National Police in connection with the 2022 elections until June 8th.
CHR to probe shooting of 64-year-old Bayan Muna coordinator in GenSan
“[W] e urge local governments and law enforcers to remain alert against election-related violence meant to disrupt the lawful exercise of political rights and threaten other rights,” De Guia added.
“For its part, CHR Region XII is already conducting a probe and shall work with local authorities to shed light on the incident.”
According to Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate yesterday, Villegas should be among those preparing to support the scheduled political rally of presidential and vice-presidential bets Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan in GenSan on Tuesday.
“As the May 9, elections draws near these attacks against the opposition are intensifying, especially the Makabayan bloc who are also all out in the campaign to support the Leni-Kiko tandem to defeat the Marcos-Duterte alliance in the elections,” said Zarate.
“The undemocratic forces behind these attacks clearly want the status quo to continue and the candidates who will carry on these policies to win. This incident must be independently investigated and the perpetrators be held accountable.”
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