WHEREAS , the Commission on Human Rights (“CHR” or “Commission”, for brevity), pursuant to Section 18, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, is mandated, among others, to investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights;

WHEREAS, consistent with this constitutional fiat, the CHR motu proprio took cognizance of and is pursuing its investigation into the extra-legal or summary killings in Davao City attributed or attributable to the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS), by holding a series of public inquiries in aid of investigation;

WHEREAS, in the course of such inquiry, the Chairperson and/ or the Commission received highly confidential and sensitive information pertaining to the Davao Death Squad which prompted the Commission, in Resolution CHR (IV) No. A2009-041 and Resolution CHR (IV) No. A2009-044, to enlist the assistance of the central offices of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the conduct of its investigation;

WHEREAS, considering the complex issues involved, the various aspects, points and facets which have evolved from the ongoing public inquiry and related sessions which need to be addressed - such as, issues on witness protection, drugs, minor victims, accountability of public officers, and other remedial measures -there are compelling reasons to broaden not just the investigative aspect but other areas of coordination and assistance as well, for a more expeditious and effective investigation of aforesaid extra-legal killings;

WHEREAS, the Commission is constitutionally mandated to request the assistance of any department, bureau, office, or agency in the performance of its functions;

NOW, THEREFORE , the Commission RESOLVES to constitute a multi-agency task force for this purpose, to be chaired by the CHR, and composed of the following national offices:

FURTHER RESOLVES , to immediately convene the organizational meeting of the said task force and thus requests the heads of the above mentioned agencies to promptly designate their respective representatives and alternate representatives thereto. Both shall have a rank not lower than an Assistant Secretary or its equivalent.

IMMEDIATELY FURNISH ALL THE ABOVE-NAMED AGENCIES WITH COPIES OF THIS RESOLUTION.

SO RESOLVED .

Done this 17 th day of June 2009 at Quezon City , Philippines

 

(Sgd.)
LEILA M. DE LIMA
Chairperson

(Sgd.)	(Sgd.)
CECILIA RACHEL V. QUISUMBING	MA. VICTORIA V. CARDONA
Commissioner	Commissioner
(Sgd.)	(Sgd.)
NORBERTO DELA CRUZ	JOSE MANUEL S. MAMAUAG
Commissioner	Commissioner

ATTESTED BY:
MARIA ASUNCION I. MARIANO-MARAVILLA
Commission Secretary