Gov't implemented quarantine rules while respecting human rights, says official

The Duterte administration respected human rights while it implemented stringent measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, a government human rights official said on Friday.

Undersecretary Severo Catura of the Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC) Secretariat said the government aligned its policies against COVID-19 with “all the human rights standards.”

“If they [authorities] are there for instance to observe rallies, it should be made sure that there is so much restraint in their actions,” Catura said in an online news conference.

The PHRC gives policy advice to President Rodrigo Duterte on human rights issues.

“We make sure that there is respect for people who are voicing their grievances against government and as I said earlier, in the time of the pandemic, there were certain protocols that were followed to the letter.”

Catura also cited the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) “human rights-based policing” on the implementation of community quarantine protocols.

“That for us alone is very much reflective of how much human rights standards are being taken into consideration amidst the difficult situation that we have at this time,” Catura said.

Some groups have criticized the PNP after it was reported that the police would use yantok or rattan sticks in implementing quarantine rules in the community.

The PNP later clarified that the rattan sticks would only be used to measure proper distance between people.

“There also has to be some respect for people in authority. You are not there to disrespect people in authority because they are there to implement the rules properly,” Catura said.

“Now, if we are there to act as threats or act as people who will motivate them to do otherwise, then there is something wrong with you.” -NB, GMA News