BACOLOD CITY – The Silay City, Negros Occidental Police Station is open for an investigation by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on the parade of violators of COVID-19 health protocols in the city last week.
Police Major Rollie Pondevilla, city police chief, said they see no problem if they will be investigated, adding that they had not violated any rights of the violators.
A video posted on Facebook caught the attention of the CHR after the Silay police paraded 39 violators, who were caught not wearing face masks, last Thursday.
These violators walked while raising their arms forward as if they were zombies from the police station to the covered court, where a seminar was held to remind them about the strict observance of the health protocols.
Parading alleged quarantine violators on the streets may amount to cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment penalized by Republic Act No. 9745 (Anti-Torture Act) and barred by Convention Against Torture signed by the Philippines, the CHR said in a statement.
Pondevilla said they acted in good faith, adding that they violators were even observing a one meter distance from each other.
Meanwhile, Police Lt. Abegael Donasco, Negros Occidental police spokesperson, said the provincial police office won’t tolerate it if there’s a violation committed.
Donasco said the police station is open for investigation, adding that Pondevilla had no bad intention for doing such act.
Donasco said that violators just walked 20 meters while observing physical distancing, and were given face masks. “They were not even sanctioned to pay fines for humanitarian consideration,” she added.
Donasco said the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) here will also conduct their own investigation if there’s an official complaint. “Hindi naman po namin ididisregard po iyon kung meron man (We won't disregard the complaints),” she added.