MANILA – Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairperson Etta Rosales on Tuesday said Tanauan City Mayor Thony Halili violated the law when he ordered the public shaming of an alleged thief at a market last week.

A man accused of stealing dried fish (tuyo) was earlier caught on camera being ordered by members of Tanauan's civil security unit to walk around the public market with a sign saying "Ako'y magnanakaw. 'Wag akong tularan" posted at the back and in front of his shirt.

Halili told Bayan Mo Ipatrol Mo (BMPM) in a phone interview that he ordered such actions to be taken against the suspect.

He said the man is part of a syndicate and has previous cases filed in court involving illegal drugs and theft.

Rosales, however, said Halili's actions violated laws against presenting to the public suspects who have yet to be convicted of a crime by the court.

"Itong opisyal na ito, iyung mayor, siya ang may pananagutan diyan because first of all, hindi mo dapat dini-display [ang suspek]. May batas na tungkol dyan na bawal na bawal nagdi-display ng mga suspects or arrested na parang ginagawang mga criminal na, samantalang sila'y mga suspect pa lamang. That is a violation of the dignity of the person," Rosales told dzMM.

"Panahon pa ng mga medieval age ang mga ganitong trabaho na ginawa nitong mayor na ito," she added.

Rosales said she will immediately order an investigation into the incident, and ask Halili for an explanation.

She said the members of the civil security unit may also be held responsible.

"Kasabwat ang mga nagparada mismo, pero the mayor has command responsibility. Obviously he is ignorant of the law," Rosales said.