NCRPO: No extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances of human rights workers under Duterte gov’t

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has denied attacking human rights workers via extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, stressing that such crimes are not a state policy.

NCRPO chief Director Guillermo Eleazar was responding to the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation on human rights defenders released on Wednesday, which called on the Duterte administration to “immediately end all forms of violations against human rights defenders, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.”

The same report, which is also the first global survey of the situation of human rights defenders, also stated that the war on drugs “has created a climate of insecurity and impunity for extrajudicial killings that affect human rights defenders.”

“The state does not allow extrajudicial killings. Neither does the Philippine National Police (PNP). Policemen involved in killing civilians for their own motives and personal gain, while using the war on drugs as their disguise and cover, are charged administratively and criminally in court,” Eleazar told GMA News Online.

“Just recently, several policemen involved in the killing of a teenager, Kian de los Santos, for their personal motives, were convicted for life,” Eleazar added.

Eleazar was referring to the Caloocan City court's November 2018 decision convicting Police Officer 3 Arnel Oares and Police Officers 1 Jeremias Pereda, and Jerwin Cruz for the murder of delos Santos in August 2017.

“As to the sentiments of our human rights defenders, it is not for me to agree or disagree with their sentiments. They have rights to their own sentiments, and my opinion certainly won’t change their sentiments,” Eleazar said.

Eleazer then cited that the PNP's Internal Affairs Service has already recommended the dismissal from the service and filing of criminal charges against policemen that may be involved in said activities.

“Our PNP chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde, has issued a priority directive of internal cleansing which includes terminating the services of policemen who will be involved in similar irregularities,” Eleazar added.

Based on the combined records of the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, at least 438 law enforcement personnel have been dismissed from service due to drug use and other drug related offenses, including those from the ranks of the PNP. — RSJ, GMA News