May 13, 2009, Manila, Philippines: The Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team (EPAF) recently completed a series of forensic trainings for the investigators of the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) in the Philippines.

The trainings were held between April 24 and May 11, and coincided with the 22nd anniversary of the CHR. In total, 132 investigators representing all regions of the Philippines were trained in four sessions. The first two trainings were held at Clark, Pampanga with subsequent trainings in Cebu and Cayagan de Oro.

The cooperation between EPAF and the CHR is significant as both Peru and the Philippines struggle with impunity and cases of human rights violations. EPAF is a partner of The Advocacy Project (AP).

The trainings involved a combination of lectures and hands-on fieldwork to expand the investigators’ existing expertise in the field. Participants were encouraged to use logic and observation to systematically investigate a crime scene and to critically evaluate evidence they received from other sources.

Effective investigation is an important step in ending impunity, reducing the incidence of human rights violations, and getting justice for those affected, according to EPAF.

The trainings were organized in association with the Asia Foundation with financial support from USAID and AUSAID.