Casiño of Bayan Muna alarmed by ‘hate crimes’ against gay

BAYAN Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño has expressed alarm over the recent attacks on gays in Cebu.

In a statement, the congressman condemned the recent killing of a 50-year-old gay man in Minglanilla, Cebu and the pellet gun attacks on gays in Cebu City.

He lamented that gays have become targets of hate crimes all over the country.

“It is indeed deplorable that some individuals or groups cannot get over their prejudices and hate and go to the extent of harming and even killing people for being gay,” he said.

“This is the type of mentality that we should condemn and act against,” added Casiño.

He called on the police in Cebu to bring to justice the perpetrators of the attacks.

“This is not an ordinary crime, as it is apparently motivated by sheer prejudice and hate,” said Casiño.

Casiño is the author of House Bill 1483 or An Act Defining Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

The bill seeks to define and penalize what are considered discriminatory acts against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBTs).

Casiño is also the author of House Resolution 1432, which directs the House Committee on Human Rights to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the reported killings and hate crimes against LGBTs.

Casiño said hating and hurting people just because they have a different sexual orientation or gender identity is just the same as hating them based on religion, political belief, race or sex.

Last Oct. 13, gays in Cebu City complained in two police stations after men on board
a white car with no license plate shot them with a pellet gun.

The following day, the remains of 50-year-old Alberto Navarro was found buried underneath an abandoned house in Barangay Linao in the southern town of Minglanilla.

A tricycle driver named Richard Mandal, who was allegedly a boyfriend of Navarro, admitted to the crime.