The Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) assured that it is not the practice of the police to weaponize the law.
Police General Guillermo Lorenzo T Eleazar assured the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) that the PNP wIll always uphold its sworn duty to serve and protect the public.
“I would like to assure the CHR that the men and women of the police organization do not weaponize the law. It is not the PNP’s way to use the law to attack any citizen whom we are sworn to protect and serve. Our role is only to enforce what the law provides,” Eleazar said.
He added, “Bawat kilos ng ating kapulisan ay dapat na naaayon sa batas dahil mawawalang saysay ang aming pagiging law enforcers kung kami mismo ay hindi sumusunod sa batas. Sinisiguro ko sa CHR na patuloy na gagampanan ng PNP ang mandato nito.”
The CHR has asked for an investigation into the arrest of Anakbayan Naga City chairperson Sasah Sta. Rosa early this month for violations of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and Illegal Possession of Explosives and sought a probe into what it claimed was the weaponization of the law against State dissenters.
“Tuwing may police operations, partikular ang service ng search o arrest warrants, laban sa mga indibidwal na nagkakataon ay miyembro pala ng mga progresibong grupo halos inaasahan na namin ang laging kasunod na alegasyon na iligal ang aming operasyon o sila’y hinarass o tinaniman ng ebidensya. The PNP maintains that our men follow the police operating procedure in serving search or arrest warrants,” the PNP Chief said.
According to Eleazar, “We have, in law, what we call the presumption of regularity in the performance of official duties to enable us to effectively dispense our functions. This can only be overturned by clear and convincing proof to the contrary dahil kung hindi eh sigurado akong binaha na tayo noon pa ng samu’t-saring nuisance cases mula sa mga akusadong gusto lang makalusot sa kanilang krimen.”
“But if there are claims of police irregularity and they feel they have evidence to support that allegation, it is well within their rights to file a complaint. We are open to any investigation and whatever the outcome, we will accept and abide,” he added.
Eleazar said that he is looking forward to the finalization of protocols by the Supreme Court on the use of body-worn cameras in police operations, particularly in the service of arrest or search warrants.
“Malaking bagay ito para mapawi ang duda sa mga lehitimong operasyon. Magsisilbi din itong proteksyon ng ating mga mamamayan mula sa ilang tiwali sa aming hanay,” he said.(PNP-PIO)
