Senator Leila de Lima is seeking a congressional probe into the deaths of curfew violators who were arrested when President Rodrigo Duterte placed the “NCR Plus” bubble under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

De Lima filed Proposed Senate Resolution (PSR) No. 703 on Thursday, April 22.

In filing PSR 703, De Lima wants the Senate to investigate the reported human rights abuses committed against curfew violators when the “NCR Plus” bubble – which includes Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and Cavite – were placed under ECQ for two weeks.

“These violations and senseless deaths are manifestations of clear abuse of power by government,” said the Duterte critic, who has been in detention for more than four years over what she described as trumped-up drug charges.

“This series of beatings which led to deaths of innocent victims is a demonstration of how government is continuing with its campaign of systemic violence, climate of fear, and impunity among officials and lack of regard for human rights,” De Lima added. 

She cited the death of 28-year-old Darren Peñaredondo in early April, just two days after he was arrested for violating the curfew in General Trias, Cavite, and punished with 300 rounds of pumping exercise akin to squats. Peñaredondo died due to a stroke.

Following Peñaredondo’s death, the police chief of General Trias and two other policemen were sacked from their posts and are now facing administrative complaints.

De Lima also mentioned the case of Ernanie Lumban Jimenez, a 26-year-old quarantine violator in Calamba City, Laguna, who was beaten to death by village guards last April 7. Cops are planning to file homicide complaints against the suspects. 

De Lima said there is an “urgent need” to conduct the investigation into these deaths to hold the public officials who were involved accountable for their crimes. 

“If the COVID-19 pandemic persists which requires reimplementation of lockdowns and other mobility restrictions on citizens, the rules of engagement with and treatment of violators must be clarified as to ensure that no unnecessary injury or death is caused by abuse or misunderstanding by the quarantine implementers,” she said.

The stories of Peñaredondo and Jimenez are just the latest cases of human rights violations committed by authorities during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Last April 1, 2020, no less than Duterte himself had ordered police and soldiers to “shoot” residents causing “trouble” during the lockdown.

Days later, a Quezon City policeman shot former corporal Winston Ragos for  supposedly violating lockdown rules during the COVID-19 pandemic.  At the time of his death, Ragos was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Cops have since been arresting hundreds daily for violating quarantine rules. But Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra already recommended that those caught violating quarantine rules be subjected to community service only and not arrest or detention. 

Following the death of Peñaredondo, Cavite police chief Colonel Marlon Santos ordered Cavite police to just warn or fine quarantine violators, instead of arresting and detaining them. – Rappler.com