CHR reminds gov't to uphold rule of law in anti-crime drive

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday called on the government to uphold the rule of law in going after perpetrators of crimes.

The CHR issued the statement in response to President Rodrigo Duterte's sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA) where he lamented that despite his administration's efforts, illegal drugs continue to be a problem.

"We continue to urge the government to uphold their sworn mandate to respect, protect, and fulfill the rights and dignity of all,"  CHR spokesperson and lawyer Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement.

She added that the commission remains hopeful that despite government pronouncements "that seem to tolerate a culture of killing and impunity, authorities will still adhere in doing what is good and right, as guided by our laws."

"We decry the culture of killings and the blatant disregard for the rule of law. CHR continues to stress the primacy of the human life, even as we address issues on criminality," she said.

De Guia said in every call to the government to investigate and act, CHR also demands that perpetrators be made accountable in recognition of the harm and consequences of crimes as forms of human rights abuse and violation.

"This is exactly we have laws — to ensure accountability from perpetrators guided by due process and preserve guaranteed rights to all Filipinos as embodied in our very Constitution," she pointed out.

"We emphasize that the call to respect the rights of the accused does not mean disregarding the crimes committed and its ill effect to victims," she added.

De Guia, however, said the CHR is hopeful given the recently inked UN Joint Program on Human Rights.

"We trust that relevant government agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Philippine National Police, will do its best in addressing the observed 'widespread and systematic killings' and prevalence of other human rights violations raised by the international community and the subsequent commitment of the government to address these transgressions and improve compliance to human rights obligations and standards," she said.

In addition, de Guia recognized the government's achievements in promoting human rights such as championing the right to education through access to free quality tertiary education; right to health through the Universal Healthcare Act, and the people's right to effective and efficient public service through the Ease of Doing Business Act, among others. —Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA News