It was never policy to kill drug suspects – PNP

Responding to international calls for the Philippine government to end the thousands of drug killings in the country, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Saturday that the national police force was determined to ensure the safety of all Filipinos, while at the same time upholding human rights and the rule of law.

"It was never the policy of the PNP to outright kill drug suspects in anti-illegal drugs operations for they too have the right to presumption of innocence and to due process under the law," PNP Spokesperson Police Senior Superintendent Benigno Durana explained in a statement.

Nevertheless, Durano emphasized that  "drug enforcers have also the right to defend themselves while in the performance of their duty including use of appropriate amount of force to effect arrests of usually armed and drug-crazed suspects."

According to Durana, the PNP's policy was based "on the principle that we can be tougher on crimes, particularly illegal drugs, while upholding human rights and the rule of law.

"This is never meant to be just a cliche."

Institutional reforms were thus in place, and were being strengthened, to ensure that human rights standards and principles were being effectively mainstreamed in Philippine policing.

Furthermore the PNP desired to be transparent in its work processes, which would include cooperation with any domestic or international investigative bodies, "but only through the Office of the Solicitor General which can best represent any government agency like the PNP."

The PNP made its declaration after 38 countries at the 38th session of the UN Human Rights Council urged the Philippine government to "take all necessary measures to bring killings associated with the campaign against illegal drugs to an end."

Apart from securing a safe and secure environment for all, including journalists and human-rights defenders, the nations also hoped that the Philippine government would cooperate with the international community in investigations of all related deaths and to hold perpetrators accountable.

"We urge the Government of the Philippines to cooperate with the United Nations system — including the Human Rights Council and its special procedure mandate holders — without preconditions or limitations," the rights-council countries enjoined. — Margaret Claire Layug/DVM, GMA News