PCOO PR
MANILA – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Saturday commended the Department of Justice (DOJ) on resolving cases of deaths related to the conduct of the anti-narcotics campaign of the administration.
In a statement, Secretary Andanar expressed confidence that the report of the justice department will encompass accountability and transparency.
“We laud the Department of Justice (DOJ) for their continued commitment in resolving cases of deaths that have occurred in legitimate anti-illegal drugs operations, prioritizing hundreds of cases being handled by its prosecution officers, notwithstanding the challenges of the pandemic,” he said.
The DOJ heads the panel that conducts a judicious review of over 5,000 anti-illegal drugs operations where deaths occurred by also engaging affected families and providing them with legal assistance in the criminal prosecution of law enforcers who have overstepped legal bounds in their operations.
“We are confident that the DOJ report will establish that the government takes full responsibility for the accountable, transparent campaign against illegal drugs that enjoy the strong support of the Filipino people,” Secretary Andanar added.
He also lauded the efforts of law enforcement officials across the country who have observed the highest standards of honor, integrity, and competence in making cities and communities safer from the scourge of illegal drugs.
On September 2, the DOJ and the Commission on Human Rights inked a data-sharing agreement that aims to facilitate the investigation and case build-up efforts that lead to prosecution in cases within the mandate of the 2012 Administrative Order No. 35 (AO 35).
Administrative Order No. 35 (AO 35) directed the creation of an inter-agency committee on extrajudicial killings (EJKs), enforced disappearances, torture, and other grave violations of the right to life, liberty, and security of persons.
“The recently signed Data Sharing Agreement between the DOJ and the Philippines’ Commission on Human Rights (CHR) attest to the efforts of the Duterte administration to engage all parties to judiciously address cases of impunity, within the country’s accountability mechanisms,” Secretary Andanar said.
“These are testaments that we, in the government under the leadership of President Duterte, have always put an emphasis on resolving the country’s pressing issues, such as the proliferation of illegal drugs, while upholding our democratic foundations, human rights, rule of law, and the principles of good governance,” he added.
