CHR calls for filing of appropriate charges vs drug-linked cops

Following the call for their resignation, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday said criminal and administrative charges should be filed against erring police officers who would be confirmed to have links to the illicit drug trade.

The CHR issued the remarks days after Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos asked the full colonels and generals of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to submit their courtesy resignations amid the internal cleansing among the police ranks.

“While we acknowledge DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.’s expeditious approach, it must be stressed that accountability must be carried out to its fullest extent,” the commission said in a press statement.

“A resignation or removal from office may only be the first step in the pursuit of justice and not an omission of liability. In this case, if allegations are proven to be true, criminal and administrative charges should be filed against erring police officers of the PNP,” it added.

Last month, the human rights commission welcomed the administration’s Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” or BIDA program, which seeks to fight the drug problem through demand reduction and rehabilitation of persons who use illegal drugs.

The CHR previously said there was a need to “re-orient and retrain” police personnel to prevent any form of abuse or violation as it called for an investigation into claims of abuse by the authorities.

In backing the DILG, the CHR reiterated that “implementing serious reforms and policy shifts within the PNP is crucial in the government’s multi-sectoral course of action to combat the persistent drug problem in the country”.

“Parallel to the adoption of a human-rights based means to drug recovery must be the imposition of criminal-legal sanctions against guilty perpetrators,” the commission said.

“When lawlessness is dealt with according to law, it demonstrates a robust and working justice system in the country. Furthermore, holding officials liable for possible human rights violations indicates integrity and seriousness on the government’s part in terms of ending the culture of impunity,” it added.

Moreover, the CHR reiterated its appeal for the DILG and PNP to file and probe more cases similar to drug war victims Kian delos Santos, Carl Arnaiz, and Reynaldo “Kulot” de Guzman, saying that “proactive and systemic action against corruption” is the only way more Filipinos can be “assured that the law is also for the marginalized and the poor; equally enforced and independently adjudicated.”

“In that regard, CHR remains open to collaborating with law enforcement agencies regarding the progress of cases involving police officers. We likewise express our continued commitment to improve the human rights education and training programs for the security sector," the agency said.

GMA News Online had sought comment from the PNP on the CHR's statement, but the national police force had yet to comment as of posting time. — DVM, GMA Integrated News