CHR probes killing of EJK survivor

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is investigating the killing of a supposed survivor of an attempted extrajudicial killing while he was recovering inside a Rizal province hospital. 

CHR Spokesperson Jacqueline De Guia said their Region IV office dispatched a quick response team to investigate the death of Vincent Adia who suffered gunshot wounds and was recuperating in an Angono hospital. 

“The CHR Region-IV has dispatched a quick response team to investigate the case and monitor it to its just end,” she added. 

Adia reportedly survived by playing dead after being shot three times to the face. After he was brought to a hospital, a gunman entered the emergency room and shot Adia dead. 

“[CHR] strongly condemns this brutal killing inside a hospital. The brazenness of the attack is utterly reprehensible — a desecration of the very facility where the sick and wounded are supposed to be treated and saved. Amid the suffering in this period of a pandemic, it is disheartening that extra-judicial killings still persist,” De Guia said. 

CHR called on Malacanang to resolve the spate of extrajudicial killings that continue to persist despite announcement of government measures intended to improve the human rights situation in the Philippines. 

“With government’s expression of openness to cooperate with international mechanisms in improving the human rights situation in the country, we hope and expect that cases of extrajudicial killings will be truly curbed and tackled with utmost urgency,” De Guia said. 

A hospital staff who witnessed Adia’s brutal killing shared the atrocity on social media. 

Angono Police Chief Maj. Richard Corpuz confirmed that the incident occurred around 11:40 a.m. November 4. 

The Rizal Police Provincial Office assured that an investigation is being conducted. 

President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly assured that no EJK occurs in the Philippines — instead, the killings come from drug gangs fighting for territory and control.