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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Group denounces 'tokhang' vs communists

Group denounces 'tokhang' vs communists

Published Aug 28, 2021 01:13 pm

A civil society group denounced Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Guillermo Eleazar's backing of the "tokhang"-style of operations against communist groups in Cordillera.

(Photo from Human Rights Watch)

This, after Eleazar expressed appreciation of the "Dumanum Makituntong" (Seek and Talk) plan of the Cordillera Regional Peace and Order Council.

"It is widely known that the 'tokhang' method does not, in any way, respect the basic rights of the people. Years of its implementation only resulted in violations and injustices. It even normalized the 'nanlaban' narrative which deprived victims of due process of law and even led to killings," Council for People's Development and Governance (CPDG) Spokesperson Liza Maza said in a statement released Friday, Aug. 27.

The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Atty. Fatou Bensouda had announced that the ICC intends to investigate the gross human rights violations committed by the Duterte government in its War on Drugs.

Meanwhile, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that law enforcement personnel committed irregularities in "nanlaban" cases by failing to follow standard operating procedures in processing crime scenes.

CPDG said "tanim-ebidensya", also part of Oplan Tokhang, is used in arresting activists where firearms and explosives "are planted as evidence to justify their imprisonment."

The group also raised alarm on the chilling effect of such operations that proliferate in communities as it might affect the behavior of voters in the 2022 elections.

"The government, especially its law enforcement personnel, should ensure free elections and the exercise of its citizens' right to vote, without intimidation and harassment," Maza said.

"If Gen. Eleazar really wants to reform the PNP and ensure that it upholds basic human rights in any of its operations, it should veer away from Oplan Tokhang and pursue just and humane methods. Moreover, it should study the reasons for dissent and why there are people who take up arms," she ended.

Eleazar had assured that PNP will "provide assistance in a way that will strike a balance between defeating the Communist Party of the Philippines-National People's Army-National Democratic Front and its commitment to respect and uphold basic human rights."

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