DOJ, UN joint programme discuss rights situation in Philippines

Department of Justice (DOJ) officials and the UN Joint Programme on Human Rights on Wednesday held a meeting at the DOJ to discuss the human rights situation in the country.

In a media briefing, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the committee sought to discuss the drug war of former president Rodrigo Duterte and the country’s drug policy.

“Kung paano 'yung gagawin natin sa mga naging abuso sa drug war na iyon. Mga biktima, mga biktima na nagkakaroon ng witness protection doon sa drug war na 'yon,” Remulla said.

(What we will do on the abuses of the drug war. The victims, and the victims who were placed under witness protection.)

“Tapos kung ano talaga ang ating magiging polisiya sa droga. Kung ito ay babaguhin natin bilang isang… public health issue only,” he added.

(What will be our policy on drugs. If this will be changed as a public health issue only.)

Remulla, however, stressed that it is up to the Philippine government if it will listen to the suggestions of the committee.

“Kasi minsan sobrang pakikiaalam ang nangyayari. Meron naman tayong sariling plano bilang isang bansa,” he said.

(Because sometimes it becomes too meddlesome. We have our own plans as a country.)

The Justice Secretary also reiterated that the Department of Justice will help the victims of the drug war.

“Ang mahalaga, sinasabi lang natin sa taong bayan, kung kayo po ay naging biktima ng kahit anong proseso ng batas, naging biktima ng alagad ng batas sa nakaraan at kayo po ay te-testigo, tutulungan namin kayo,” he said.

(What is important is if you were victims of any kind of process, victims of officials of the law and you want to testify, we will help you.)

“Hindi po papayag ang DOJ na mabalewala ang pang aabuso ng kahit sino na humawak ng katungkulan sa gobyerno,” he added.

(The DOJ will not allow abuses by anyone in government to be ignored.)

Government records show that at least 6,200 drug suspects have been killed in police operations from June 2016 until November 2021. Several human rights groups, however, claim the actual death toll could be from 12,000 to 30,000. — BM, GMA Integrated News