THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has denounced the shooting and attempt against the life of a village councilor in Ormoc City.

At the same time, the commission conducted a quick response operation (QRO) for the case involving the victim, Ramie Matuguina, who, based on police reports, was shot by an unidentified riding in tandem while he was inside a car on June 6.

Matuguina, a village councilor in Barangay Salvacion, sustained bullet wounds and was brought to a hospital. Six cartridges of a.45-caliber pistol, a discharged bullet and a deformed slug were found at the scene, according to police reports.

"The Commission condemns this brazen assault against another barangay official," the CHR said in a statement.

"Although authorities have yet to determine the motive of the incident, we express our concern over the continued occurrences of violence committed against public officials as the 2025 midterm elections draw closer," it added.

The CHR notes that this incident is a recent addition to the long list of violence committed against elected government officials this 2024.

"We recognize the immediate action of the Ormoc City Police Station 1 for launching its dragnet operations to immediately identify the suspects," the CHR said.

The commission said that this continued occurrence of violence only cultivates a climate of fear among the voters and public officials themselves and may bring detrimental implications on the results of the upcoming elections.

"Whether this incident is politically motivated or not, we emphasize that every human being has the right to live without fear of harm or violence," the CHR said.

As the country's independent national human rights institution, the commission cited that all acts of violence contradict the goal of fostering a safer and more peaceful society.

"Let us all work toward respecting the sanctity of human life and dignity above all else," said the CHR.

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