UN rights chief Bachelet urges Philippines to make drug war probe findings public

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Thursday urged the Philippine government to publish its findings in its investigation into the drug war killings in the country.

In her update to the UNHRC, Bachelet said the national government has made several developments pursuant to the joint program with the UN but encouraged the Department of Justice to make findings public for assessment.

According to Bachelet, the DOJ-led inter-agency panel tasked to review the drug killings in the country has completed reviewing two batches of drug cases but has yet to publish its findings.

"I encourage publication of the panel's findings so its work can be evaluated," she said.

Bachelet also urged the government to involve the Commission on Human Rights and other relevant agencies in its drug war review by sharing information on case and investigation "to ensure an effective and victim-centered process."

She also said institutional and policy changes should be put in place to prevent further violations in the country.

Bachelet cited the recent Supreme court order limiting the powers of the Quezon City and Manila courts to issue warrants outside their judicial regions and the mandatory use of body cameras on police officers when serving warrants.

"These are important preventive measures, the effectiveness of which has been well-documented in other states," she said.

She also said she is concerned over the continued red-tagging of activists, environmentalists, and journalists, among others.

"As the Philippines heads into an election year, I urge all sides to set aside the ugly rhetoric and destructive narratives that label human rights defenders, attack independent media or condone extrajudicial killings and other abuses," Bachelet said.

Further, she welcomed the International Criminal Court's investigation into the drug war killings in the country, saying it "brings into sharp focus the ability and willingness of the domestic accountability mechanisms to produce clear and measurable results." — BM, GMA News