CHR: Ensure accountability of cops in Doc Naty's illegal arrest

As it hailed the court's decision to free Dr. Natividad "Naty" Castro, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said authorities should ensure that arresting officers involved will face the law.

"The action of the court affirms the importance of upholding the fundamental right to due process for all persons regardless of their perceived political affiliation, ideological leaning, or any other identifier, such as gender or profession," the CHR said in a statement.

"In light of the dismissal of the case, CHR expects that the accountability of arresting officers will also be ensured as per the rules of PNP’s operations procedure and under Republic Act No. 7438 on the rights of persons arrested and detained," it added.

The commission said the case of Castro underscored the need to observe due process of law, saying that without this would mean violation of a person's right to liberty.

"The lack of subpoena as part of the preliminary investigation defeats the purpose of preventing the innocents exposing to the risk of incarceration, inevitable anxiety, aggravation, humiliation, not to speak of expense, and the right to an opportunity to avoid a painful process is a valuable right," it said.

CHR said "red-tagging and circumvention of due process" should stop as they can pose "irreversible harm to an individual's rights and dignity."

It noted Castro was previously red-tagged for her work as doctor fo indigenous peoples and their communities.

"The case of Dr. Castro demonstrates the essence of upholding the rule of law at all times across all pillars of justice namely, law enforcement, prosecution, judiciary, penology, and the community," it said.

Castro's family said on Thursday that she was released from detention on Wednesday.

In a statement, the family said Castro, who is being linked to communist rebels by the police and military, was no longer in Mindanao.

The PNP said it is open to using legal remedies for the court to reconsider the decision.

“The PNP reserves the right to seek further legal remedies that may convince the Court to reconsider,” it said.—LDF, GMA News