CHR chief Gascon succumbs to COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairman Jose Luis Martin “Chito” Gascon passed away early yesterday due to COVID-19. He was 57.

His death was announced by his brother Martin and was confirmed by CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia.

“At a time of unprecedented human rights challenges, Chair Chito courageously and steadfastly upheld the constitutional mandate of the commission,” she said.

“Amidst the unrelenting attacks against the institution and to him personally, he was unwavering and unflinching in fighting for the universal values of freedom, truth and justice that are essential in the pursuit of human rights,” added de Guia.

Appointed by former president Benigno Aquino III to the CHR in 2015, Gascon was a political activist whose work focused on human rights, democracy and governance.

A student leader during the martial law period, he was later appointed as the youngest member of the Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution.

He served in numerous government posts, including as undersecretary of the Department of Education from 2002 to 2005.

Gascon was Aquino’s undersecretary for political affairs until 2014, when he was appointed as member of the Human Rights Victims Claims Board established to process the reparation of victims of human rights violations during the dictatorship.

Following his appointment to the CHR, he took a leave from the Liberal Party to ensure impartiality of the commission.

He led investigations of alleged human rights violations during the second Aquino administration, including the displacement of thousands of indigenous peoples in Mindanao in 2015 and the violent dispersal of farmers’ protest in Kidapawan in 2016.

Leading the CHR became more challenging following the election of President Duterte, whose campaign against illegal drugs resulted in thousands of deaths during police operations and due to vigilante killings.

Often drawing the ire of the President, his allies and supporters, Gascon remained consistent in his call to defend human rights, rule of law and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.

In his last interview with The STAR, he expressed the commission’s willingness to cooperate with the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in its ongoing investigation of the drug war.

He said the recent developments is a critical step towards truth and justice that may help lead to ending impunity in the country.

De Guia said Gascon’s leadership in the commission has inspired and nurtured a culture of enabling, empowering and a safe environment that moved CHR personnel to always serve with genuine compassion, utmost integrity and excellence.

“He impressed upon the CHR personnel and fellow human rights workers the impact and value of our work, especially to those who have it least,” she added.

‘Stalwart of human rights’

Tributes and messages of sympathy poured in following Gascon’s death.

Vice President Leni Robredo recalled how Gascon, as chair of the University of the Philippines student council, mobilized and led marches against the Marcos dictatorship.

“He opened the door that allowed many of us to engage deeply in our democracy,” she said in Filipino. “He helped a lot. He inspired many with his courage and principles. His was a constant light in these dark times.”

Robredo urged the public to honor Gascon’s legacy by following his example of compassion, courage and integrity. “It is now up to all of us to tend to this light.”

On Twitter, Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Marvic Leonen shared how the CHR chair, before he died, asked that he be taken home so others can use his hospital bed.

“This is what being a human being looks like, a true leader,” he added.

Human rights lawyer and former SC spokesman Theodore Te described Gascon as a giant for human rights who stood his ground, held fast and took the fight to the enemy.

“The forest is barer because of your fall, but the seeds that you planted will yield fruit,” he added.

Free Legal Assistance Group chair Chel Diokno noted how the CHR, under Gascon’s leadership, became a sanctuary of those who were abused and whose rights were violated.

Calling him a stalwart of human rights, he also expressed gratitude to him for opening Liwasang Diokno, a freedom park which he said became a safe haven for collective expression.

Diokno’s father, former senator Jose “Ka Pepe” Diokno, was the founding chairman of the CHR.

The British embassy in Manila also mourned the passing of Gascon, an alumnus of the United Kingdom’s Chevening scholarship program.

Human rights group Karapatan noted how Gascon stood with them and other human rights defenders in their calls for justice.

“He opened the commission’s halls to the victims of human rights violations, political prisoners and their kin as he closely worked with independent human rights organizations for dialogues and reports,” it said.

“With Chito’s death, the country lost a courageous human rights defender. Nonetheless, we vow to carry on with the fight he left, and we will honor his memory by continuing to defend and uphold people’s rights and the struggle for just and lasting peace in the Philippines,” the group added.

Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said, “Chito’s tenure as chairperson came at a crucial time of massive challenges and worsening attacks on human rights in the Philippines. He and the Commission faced various threats for their work in fulfilling their mandate, especially in openly denouncing the Duterte administration’s sham and bloody drug war.”

She added, “Despite these attacks, Chito stood with us and other human rights defenders in our calls for justice. He opened the Commission’s halls to the victims of human rights violations, political prisoners and their kin as he closely worked with independent human rights organizations for dialogues and reports.”

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes said, “We grieve with the human rights community over his untimely passing. We pay tribute to his work in the CHR which included supporting the cause of thousands of human rights victims of the Duterte regime, providing a safe space and sanctuary for human rights defenders and amplifying the call for accountability over the reign of terror and impunity under this regime.”

“We thank him for his valuable contribution to the struggle for justice and the full realization of basic human rights. At a time of escalating state terror, Chito’s voice will surely be missed. We are comforted by the knowledge that many will carry on the fight,” Reyes added.

‘A true Filipino patriot

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, in a statement yesterday, said his department “recognizes the great work done by the CHR under Chairman Gascon in the implementation of human rights laws.”

“He will be missed,” he said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines also extended condolences to the loved ones of Gascon.

“His tireless work as a human rights champion and the watchful eyes of the CHR further pushed the AFP to advocate and abide by the principles of human rights and International Humanitarian Law,” the statement read.

“We pray for strength for his loved ones in these difficult times,” it added.

“We lost a very good man. The CHR chief was a well-respected person. Rather than hamper collaborative work between the government and the CHR, his loss will further inspire us to pursue the promotion and protection of human rights in our country,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra told reporters in a viber message.

In a twitter post, Commission on Elections spokesman James Jimenez honored Gascon for his bravery and dedication “to the principles of liberalism,” while Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani Jr. was saddened by Gascon’s passing.

“He was a real champion for human rights and the Lord will certainly remember that, as well as the Filipino people,” Bacani, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution said in an interview with Church-run Radyo Veritas.

Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza and members of the Makabayan bloc honored Gascon for his dedication in the fight for justice and victims of human rights abuses.

“With the passing away of Chito Gascon, the country has just lost a genuine freedom fighter, rights defender and a true Filipino patriot,” said Atienza.

Members of the Makabayan bloc led by Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate also paid trubute to Gascon.

“It is truly saddening to note that another untiring human rights advocate and defender left us during this challenging time of pushing back tyranny,” Zarate said in a statement. – Rhodina Villanueva, Edu Punay, Ralph Edwin Villanueva, Robertzon Ramirez