A congressional inquiry into the reported attacks on transgender people is being sought.
A bloc of pro-LGBTQIA+ political parties, the Makabayan, filed House Resolution No. 1369 to call on the House committee on women and gender equality to conduct a probe in aid of legislation into the “alarming” cases of transgender deaths. This is also needed to “assess the efficacy and responsiveness of current law enforcement and justice mechanisms” in addressing transfemicide, or the killing of trans individuals driven by transphobia, homophobia and other forms of gender violence.
In the filing of Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago, Kabataan Rep. Renee Co and Act Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, noted were at least four cases of anti-transgender attacks in the last three months alone, which they said reflects a crisis of hatred and impunity. These cases include:
- Jang Macawili, who was reportedly shot multiple times at a cafe in Cebu City on Aug. 10;
- Betty Benito, who was found dead in a forest in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon province, on July 28;
- Teddy Federico, a barangay worker and indigenous peoples (IP) leader also found dead on July 15 after missing for days; and
- Bella Lutap, who was found dead in an irrigation canal in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija province, on June 20.
“This pattern of violence constitutes a severe violation of the right to life and security of persons and underscores the urgent need for legislative action to address hate crimes, strengthen protective mechanisms and dismantle systemic discrimination that fuels such violence,” the House Resolution stressed.
On a Facebook post, various organizations of transgender Filipinos expressed their support for House Resolution No. 1369.
The Society of Trans Women of the Philippines (STRAP), for one, hoped that this would strengthen the “national response to transfemicide and violence against transgender people.”
