By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan – PNA
MANILA — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde, said Wednesday respect for human rights is deeply embedded in the institution’s doctrine, systems and procedures and serves as the fundamental framework of the Police Operational Procedures or rules of engagement.
“To institutionalize human rights advocacy, (the) human rights training module is (the) standard program of instruction in all mandatory and specialized in-service training courses from basic recruit course to qualifying courses for senior officers,” Albayalde said in a statement.
He made the statement as the PNP joins the observance of the National Human Rights Consciousness Week and the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“In addition to mandatory training, the PNP is also conducting a 15-day specialized Human Rights Officers’ Course, which is the first advanced course on human rights among police agencies in Asia,” he added.
According to Albayalde, the PNP has mandated the inclusion of human rights teachings for all police recruits to institutionalize among uniformed personnel the respect for the rights of arrested criminals.
The PNP chief said the mandatory conduct of human rights-related seminars proves that respect for human rights is deeply embedded in PNP doctrine, systems and procedures amid criticisms of rampant violation of policemen in the conduct of the drug war since July 2016.
“We will remain steadfast and committed to our advocacy for human rights as (the) foundation of justice and peace. It is ingrained in our institutional policy and deeply rooted through our doctrine and mandate,” Albayalde said.
The National Human Rights Consciousness Week is celebrated every Dec. 4-10 pursuant to Republic Act No. 9201 or the “National Human Rights Consciousness Week Act of 2002″.
The week-long observance culminates on Dec. 10, which is International Human Rights Day and the 70th year since the Philippines joined other countries as among the signatories to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
Senior Supt. Ildebrandi Usana, head of the PNP Human Rights Affairs Office, said the PNP celebrates the week with various activities, such as seminars and refresher courses on human rights for directorial staff and national support units.
“We are also conducting custodial facility inspection to ensure compliance of PNP lockup cells and holding facilities within prescribed standards,” Usana said.
He said the PNP is continuing its close coordination with the Commission on Human Rights and Presidential Human Rights Committee through institutional capacity development and multi-sectoral cooperation engaging with other organizations.
The Human Rights Affairs Office was activated on June 29, 2007 to mainstream and overview human rights concerns in the PNP’s policies and processes and responses to the requirements of due process and rule of law in police operations.
