The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Saturday denounced the killing of a barangay chairman in Cagayan.

The village chief was gunned down by unidentified assailants riding a motorcycle on Friday.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office II, the victim was reportedly followed into the barangay hall by an unidentified gunman and shot multiple times in the back. 

The victim was rushed to St. Paul Hospital in Tuguegarao City but was declared dead on arrival.

CHR Region II has already launched a Quick Response Operation to take cognizance of the incident as part of its independent probe.

"The recent pattern of killings, days before the 2025 national elections, creates a climate of fear and intimidation not only in the community, but also in local leaders seeking to serve their constituents," the Commission said in a statement.

The CHR believes that such violence threatens the integrity of the democratic process and undermines the people’s right to participate in free and peaceful elections.

"As duty-bearers, we cannot allow citizens to become desensitized to attacks on those engaged in political activities or simply interacting in peace," the commission said.