Negative reports on police ops deserve PNP self-reflection —Eleazar

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar on Wednesday said criticism of many investigative bodies on policemen warrants self-reflection within the organization.

Interviewed on ANC, Eleazar pointed out that the PNP has been assessing and improving through experiences.

“Well of course. It is always. Lagi naman. We learned from what we experienced before,” he said when asked if the reports of different organizations on police operations deserve self-reflection from the PNP.

In June, the International Criminal Court (ICC) called on the supposed victims of the Philippine government’s war on drugs to submit their views, concerns, and expectations regarding the possible probe.

Then-ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda asked for authorization to open a full probe into the drug war killings, saying crimes against humanity could have been committed.

This July, an international human rights watchdog expressed alarm over the Philippine police's alleged coverup and lack of credible autopsy in its killings during anti-drug operations.

In its second report, the Independent International Commission of Investigation into Human Rights Violations in the Philippines said the PNP continued to "cover up" the circumstances in the drug war deaths.

Recently, former education secretary Edilberto de Jesus in his paper at the Ateneo de Manila University claimed that “privileges given to cops gave rise to corruption and abuse of power” amid the drug war.

Eleazar earlier disputed the findings.

“I would like to point out that the PNP and other enforcers of the war on drugs were never bestowed any privilege as the study claimed,” he said.

“The campaign against illegal drugs is part of our mandate to carry out just as it is our duty to act against and prevent other crimes,” he added.  —KBK, GMA News