By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday (Oct. 7) welcomed the drafting of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the police force on the investigation of deaths attributed to the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.
PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the MOA would strengthen the coordination and information-sharing between the PNP and the NBI in finding out the truth regarding allegations of human rights violations in illegal drugs operations.
“We welcome this development and we are confident that this agreement, once signed, would be of great help in ensuring a speedy and accurate resolution of cases that are currently reviewed and those which would be included later in the investigation. This is another milestone in our efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability in the police organization which are both important in our goal of upholding the integrity of the Philippine National Police,” Eleazar said in a statement.
Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the Department of Justice (DOJ) will help the PNP and the NBI in drafting the MOA on the measure.
Guevarra also said the Commission on Human Rights will also be engaged in this matter as the need arises, especially when it comes to coordinating with the victims’ families and their witnesses.
The DOJ had reviewed a total of 52 drug-related killings from the drug war documents that were turned over by the PNP.
The agency recommended that further investigation and case build-up be done by both the PNP and the NBI to determine the possible criminal liability of around 154 police officers involved in anti-illegal drug operations. (PNA) – bny
