While certainly, the data from the portal do not capture the prevalence of GBV (actual number of incidents
of GBV), it shows the kind of cases reported in the Commission and of the different barriers experiences
by women, girls, and LGBQI+ persons.
Emerging forms of GBV in relation to the Government’s Quarantine Rules
In addition to commonly reported and monitored cases of GBV, reports in the portal also documented
emerging forms of violence against women, girls or members of LGBQI+ in relation to the imposition of
quarantine rules. These pertained to violence in relation to: (a) curfew/ Enhanced Community Quarantine
(ECQ) violations; (b) enforcement of containment measures; (c) violence in relation to access or lack of
access to support from government; (d) violence against women human rights defenders or those criticizing
government actions; and (e) heightened online violence for women and girls. In two cases, the Commission
investigated and documented discriminatory penalties meted out for curfew/ECQ violations committed by
members of the LGBQI+.
At the onset of the ECQ, complaint regarding sexual harassment in checkpoints were already made. The
Commission received/monitored accounts of women who received unwanted attention from law
enforcement officials manning check points this included comments on women’s physical appearance,
unwarranted inquiries of their destinations, or request or unwanted sharing of phone numbers. 84 At its
worse, there were reports of law enforcement officials allegedly engaged in sex for pass – or demand for
sex against prostituted women in exchange for passage in quarantined areas. 85 While the Commission
sought to interview complainants of sex pass, their fear of retaliation from law enforcement prevailed,
prompting the Commission to issue press statements against the practice and calling for accountability from
the PNP, instead of the conduct of investigation. Early on the ECQ period, rape during detention committed
by two Marikina policemen was also documented. The two women were arrested for alleged drug charges
and were subsequently raped by their arresting officers. Cases were filed against the perpetrator, while CHR
conducted an independent investigation. More recently, another alleged act of rape committed against a
woman detained for curfew violation was documented in Bulacan. In both cases, these human rights
violations were allegedly committed by agents of the State, and as against women who are already
vulnerable.
In Region III, Central Luzon, members of the community were asked by the Barangay Captain to perform
lewd dances and kiss; while in Region IX Zamboanga Peninsula, cutting short the hair of members of the
community served as punishment. While both cases ended in mediation, the fact that these complaints were
made highlighted very gendered implementation of quarantine rules and penalties – betraying stigma and
discrimination against the LGBQI+ community. There were also several complaints against barangay
chieftains who reacted violently against women constituents who air their complaints regarding the delivery
of government services. Another case worth mentioning is the case of parricide in Region 1, Ilocos Region,
which happened in 24 April 2020. Initial investigation by the CHR-regional office showed that a son killed
her mother and the motive of the killing was the SAP benefit provided by the government. A criminal case
was filed against the son.
Violence against human rights defenders and those expressing their grievance against the government were
also among the cases documented by the Commission. The Commission has investigated the arrests of
84
E- Report mo sa Gender Omud, See accounts at CHR GBV Observatory: https://chrobservatories.uwazi.io/en/entity/ifrn6qsdqy ;
85
Rivas, Ralph.To Cross Coronavirus Border, prostituted women abused by cops first. Rappler. 21 May 2020.
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/prostitutes-abused-by-cops-first-cross-coronavirus-border
24
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