CHR to probe killing of Ozamiz judge

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines said that it would conduct a probe into the killing of Ozamiz City Judge Edmundo Pintac.

CHR Spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said that the Commission “shall be investigating this case in the interest of finding the truth and demanding accountability from the perpetrators of this injustice.”

Pintac was gunned down by motorcycle-riding men while he was on his way home on Monday, October 8.

Pintac, who had been an RTC judge for 15 years, handled the drug cases against Ozamiz Vice Mayor Nova Princess and Reynaldo Parojinog Jr. before the cases were transferred to a Quezon City court earlier this year.

The Ozamiz judge denied the request of the Parojinog siblings to attend the funeral of their parents who were slain in police-led drug raids.

“We stress the importance of the judiciary in administering justice and allowing the rule of law to prevail, especially that only few drug cases reach the courts to date,” said the CHR.

The commission also called on the government “to act with urgency as the death toll in the Philippines, especially those allegedly linked to the government’s campaign against illegal drugs, continues to grow each day.”

Earlier, Chief Justice Teresita De Castro called on the Philippine National Police to “exert all means and efforts to apprehend the perpetrators at the soonest possible time.”

De Castro added that she has instructed Court Administrator Midas Marquez “to coordinate with all law enforcement agencies to bring to justice those responsible for the crime.” — Kristine Joy Patag