By Pearl Gumapos
Philippine National Police Chief, PGen. Guillermo Eleazar, following the investigation of human rights abuse claims in the government’s drug war, assured the public that the wheels of justice are in motion and that local remedies are being exhausted.
This is in reaction to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) which expressed hope that domestic remedies work before the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigates the accusations of crimes against humanity in the enforcement of the government’s drug war.
“When it comes to domestic remedies, may mga ahensya po tayo na kasalukuyan nang tumitingin sa mga alegasyon ng human rights violations sa bansa,” Eleazar said in a press release.
“One of these remedies is the partnership of the PNP and the Department of Justice in reviewing cases involving policemen found to have committed lapses on the Police Operating Procedure in the conduct of anti-illegal drug operations,” he said.
The PNP Chief added that giving access to these documents to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for review serves as an openness to holding PNP personnel accountable for their crimes if ever there should be a finding of criminal liability by the agency.
“We have nothing to hide and we have committed to make available to the DOJ any other document that may be asked of us in the course of the department’s review,” Eleazar assured.
Eleazar pointed out that the justice system in the Philippines may not be perfect but it is working.
“We in the PNP firmly believe that the wheels of justice in the country are in motion. Marami na po tayong pulis na napanagot dahil sa paglabag sa batas at pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan,” he said.
“Bawat alegasyon din po sa ating mga kapulisan ay agad nating sinisilip at iniimbestigahan dahil hindi natin kinukunsinti ang mga tiwali at abusado sa hanay ng PNP,” Eleazar added. –rir
