Duterte has wrong interpretation of CHR's mandate —spokesperson

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday said President Rodrigo Duterte has a wrong understanding of the body's mandate under the Constitution.

"'Pag tiningnan mo ang Saligang Batas natin, kinreate niya ang CHR para tingnan ang pang-aabuso sa gobyerno. Marahil iyong mga ganitong pananaw ay namumula sa maling pag-unawa sa mandato ng CHR," CRH spokesperson Jackie de Guia said in an interview on Unang Balita.

De Guia was referring to Duterte's threat to abolish the body if it continues to investigate his men.

"Iyong CHR, iyong opisina dito, you are better abolished. I will not allow my men to go there to be investigated," Duterte said in a press conference after delivering his second State of the Nation Address on Monday.

He said the if the CHR wants to investigate members of the police and the military, the body should course its requests through the Office of the President.

"...the armed forces is udner me and the police are under me. Kaya kapag kinwestiyon mo sila for investigation, dumaan muna sa akin," he said.

De Guia insisted that the CHR's responsibility is to make sure that the government and agencies under it are held liable for violations of human rights.

In the press conference, Duterte said the CHR should instead investigate the New People's Army's ambush on the Presidential Security Group in Cotabato last week.

The CHR spokesperson said human rights violations of criminals is beyond the scope of the body and clarified that it is the job of the Philippine National Police.

"Hindi po namin panghihimasukan ang mandato ng pulisya," she added. —ALG/KVD, GMA News