By Pearl Gumapos
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday (Sept. 22) said those found to have acted against the law during the country’s campaign against illegal drugs will be made accountable before the law.
“I have instructed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to review the conduct of our campaign against illegal drugs. Those found to have acted beyond bounds during operations shall be made accountable before our laws,” the President said in his speech at the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
“We have recently finalized with the United Nations our Joint Program on Human Rights. This is a model for constructive engagement between a sovereign member state and the United Nations,” he added.
The Joint Program on Human Rights was formally launched by the Philippines and the United Nations last July 2021.
The program aims to further strengthen national institutions and support the Philippines in the continued fulfillment of its international human rights obligations.
The program provides human rights-based approaches on countering terrorism, strengthening the conduct of investigations and filing of appropriate administrative or criminal charges on human rights violations, provision of treatment and care services for persons who use drugs (PWUDs), and establishment of a national referral pathway to address human rights concerns using appropriate domestic mechanisms, among others.
Duterte also said his administration has an obligation to the people to implement the full force of the law against criminals.
“My government has a mandate and an obligation to my people. We will deal with all criminals – including terrorists – with the full force of our laws. The Filipino people want to live in peace and security in their homes and communities – free from harm and danger from the lawless. But achieving this goal has not been without challenges. I say this in no uncertain terms: The law applies to all,” he said.
“Meaningful change, to be enduring, must come from within. The imposition of one’s will over another – no matter how noble the intent – has never worked in the past. And it never will in the future,” he added. – jlo
