MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 8, 2008) – The Philippines Commission on Human Rights has began an investigation into the bloody shootout between policemen and members of a criminal gang that left 16 people dead, including innocent civilians caught in the cross-fire.
Commissioner Lilia de Lima said there is an investigation going and that they have asked the police to provide them detailed reports of what transpired that led to the firefight.
The weekend clash killed five civilians, including a father and his seven-year old daughter. The rest were alleged members of gang blamed for the spate of bank robberies in the metropolis.
Witnesses said members of the Police Special Action Force opened fire on a car Alfonso de Vera, 53, and his daughter, Alyanna, was driving inside the United Parañaque Subdivision 4.
Police said it is also investigating the shootout.
The Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns and its member-organizations led by the Children’s Rehabilitation Center expressed outrage over the killings.
“We extend our condolences with Alyanna’s mother and join her in her call for justice for the death of her loved ones,” said Alphonse Rivera, spokesperson of Salinlahi.
Rivera said the news of the killings of innocent civilians was particularly distressing especially since the human rights community will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights on December 10.
“It is indeed alarming to note that our children are not safe from human rights violations. Whether they are in the countryside’s or in the cities, State forces should always keep in mind the respect for human life, especially children,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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