By Pearl Gumapos
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday (Oct. 21) said it did not include the names of policemen in its matrix that was released last Wednesday (Oct. 20) to observe due process.
The 20-page matrix included information on 52 cases involving the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign.
This is in accordance with the government’s policy of transparency regarding the campaign.
“Mahigit 150+ officers ang sangkot dito. Kaya lang hindi namin ito sinulat sa information table kasi [due process] considerations iyan,” DOJ Undersecretary Adrian Sugay said during the Laging Handa public briefing.
“Iyong mga pulis na ito ay dapat lalabas naman ang pangalan nila kung ang NBI ay may nakakitaan dito na dapat kasuhan. In the meantime, hindi na muna namin sinama iyan bilang pagrespeto sa kanilang right to due process,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sugay said the majority of the cases involved in the review points to violation of processes within the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“Ang nakita namin dito, karamihan, iyong hindi sumunod sa proseso. Lilinawin ko lang. Iyong aming assessment ay base doon sa [documents] na binigay mismo at na-turn over sa amin ng internal affairs service ng PNP,” Sugay said.
“At iyong aming nakita sa mga dokumento na ito ay karamihang hindi nasunod iyong mga proseso na itinatakda ng batas at iyong rules of engagement ng ating PNP,” he added.
On the anti-illegal drug campaign cases to be reviewed by the DOJ, there are thousands that the DOJ needs to look into.
“Anim na libo iyan na natitira na kailangang tingnan. Marami-rami iyan. Masyadong marami iyan. We have a few months to do it. Siguro nararapat na mag-concentrate tayo sa certain urban areas,” Sugay said.
“Si PNP chief naman ay nagpahayag ng kanyang willingness at readiness to make available itong mga case records sa DOJ,” he added. -rir
