UNHRC probe superfluous as CHR working perfectly – Albayalde

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Oscar Albayalde on Friday claimed that the Philippines did not need an international body to look into the thousands of drug war deaths as the country's own Commission of Human Rights was capable of investigating the matter.

"Unang-una, of course, we have our own laws, Constitution. Our human rights are perfectly protected by our Constitution and by our laws," Albayalde said during a press briefing.

"We don't need probably anybody or even especially international human rights committee para mag-conduct pa. We have our own Commission on Human Rights also which is perfectly working."

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) had earlier adopted a resolution seeking an investigation into the increasing number of deaths from President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war.

Albayalde also questioned the figures being highlighted by the council - 20,000 deaths from the anti-illegal drugs campaign.

The PNP chief had asked for this list of fatalities, noting that authorities were very much willing to go over it.

"Can we have probably a list of this 22,000 o 27,000 na pinauulit nilang sinasabi. Show us the list, show us the names and we will gladly investigate all of these," Albayalde said.

As to whether the PNP would provide data to the UNHCR investigation, Albayalde said he would leave the decision to higher authorities.

The PNP, in an earlier statement, said it would remain vigilant and would continue to perform its mandate to enforce the law. — DVM, GMA News