Sen. Imee Marcos on Monday urged authorities to investigate reported disappearances and killings in recent weeks, especially those involving women and the youth.
Marcos made the call following the disappearance of a 15-year-old girl, who was later found dead along a roadside in Bustos, Bulacan. Authorities have arrested a suspect in Camarines Sur, according to a GMA News report.
"Hinihiling ko sa PNP at NBI na agarang imbestigahan at patawan ng parusa ang sinumang salarin sa pagkawala ng mga indibidwal, lalo na ang mga kabataang babae na ginahasa na brutal pang pinatay. Dapat wala silang sasantuhin," Marcos said.
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The senator said the police and other law enforcement agencies should boost their efforts in ending the series of disappearances and killings in many areas of the country, especially that school children have started returning to face-to-face classes.
"Dahil sa pangamba ng mga magulang, dapat mapigilan ng mga awtoridad ang serye ng pagdukot at pagpatay, lalo na ngayong nagbalik eskwela na ang mga anak nila," Marcos said.
The Commission on Human Rights has also expressed concern on the killings of the 15-year-old girl in Bulacan and a seven-year-old girl in Laguna, saying that these incidents further highlights the vulnerabilities of young children.
"Children have the right to a safe and empowering environment so they may eventually live a productive life. Crimes such as these further compound the challenges faced, particularly of girl children, during their formative years and should alarm the government to act on these concerns," said CHR spokesperson Jacqueline De Guia.
"As students go back to face-to-face classes again, there is a need to ensure their safety and security as well so that similar incidents won’t happen elsewhere," she added.
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