Negros Occidental accounts for more than 50 percent of the cases of human rights violations in Western Visayas, with policemen still the number one violators, records of the Commission on Human Rights show.

CHR regional director, David Bermudo, attributed this to the growing awareness of Negrenses, especially civil society organizations, church, academe, police and military, of human rights issues.

Of the 87 cases of human rights violations recorded last year in Region 6, Bermudo said 47 took place in Negros Occidental, with members of the police force topping the list of respondents.

Bermudo said this may be because it is job-related, or some policemen may not have been fully oriented in respect for and promotion of human rights.

He, however, said they have also noticed a steady decline in the number of human rights complaints filed against policemen, and military personnel.

Bermudo attributed this to the continued joint seminars of the CHR, Armed Forces of the Philippines and National Police on human rights-related concerns, and the International Humanitarian Law.

The AFP and PNP also created their human rights desks and offices.

Bermudo also reported a huge drop in cases of human rights violations in Region 6, which was 150 in 2009 and 87 last year. But again, he revealed that Negros Occidental recorded numerous cases of violence against women and children.

A two-day workshop on community-based dialogs on human rights promotion and protection was held at the Redemptorist Church session hall in Bacolod City, that was participated by members of the Armed Forces and National Police, civil society groups in Negros Occidental, with Bermudo and human rights and development lawyer Marlon Juliano Manuel, among the speakers.*GPB

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