Senate probe into spate of teen killings sought

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 5) — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the spate of teenagers killed in the country.

Under resolution 776, Hontiveros said the killings of children, many of which were perpetrated by the police force, has created a "creeping culture of fear and distrust of law enforcement agencies."

READ: Trigger-happy police: The killing of Jemboy Baltazar

The opposition senator also cited independent reports that showed at least 129 children were killed between 2016 and 2020, with almost 40% of the killings carried out by police officers.

Two teenagers were reportedly killed by members of the police force during the month of August this year alone. These were Jemboy Baltazar (killed Aug. 2) and John Francis Ompad (killed Aug. 20).

READ: Another teenager killed by police in Rizal

"The killing of John Frances was again claimed to be 'accidental,' the second 'accidental' death of a youth at the hands of police in a matter of weeks," Hontiveros' resolution read.

Hontiveros, together with Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel earlier filed separate resolutions seeking an inquiry into Baltazar's death.