Philippine Human Rights Chairperson Jose Luis Martin “Chito” Gascon loses battle to Covid-19

By Edward Era Barbacena

Human Rights Chairperson Jose Luis Martin “Chito” Gascon has passed away, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) confirmed on Saturday, Oct. 9. He was 57 years old.

Also, in the Facebook post, his brother Miguel announced the demise of the CHR chairperson.

“Sa dami mong Laban, sa COVID pa tayo natalo! Love you, Kuya! RIP Chito Gascon (In your many fights, it is in COVID that we lost the battle. I love you, big brother. Rest in Peace, Chito Gascon),” Miguel posted, tagging the late chairperson’s Facebook account.

Additional details about his demise have not been made public yet.

The CHR said it will issue a statement.

Gascon was appointed to the CHR in 2015. He previously served as member of the Human Rights Victims Claims Board that handled reparation programs to martial law victims.

Records also showed that Gascon served the Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution, and the 8th Philippine Congress during the term of President Corazon C. Aquino.