The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) takes "comfort" in the instructions given by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to remain "impartial" and to use "reasonable force only when necessary.”
"The use of force must always be reasonable, justifiable, and only undertaken when necessary. Execution of authority must be fair, it must be impartial, it must be devoid of favoritism or discrimination regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, religious belief, and the like," President Marcos said during the 121st police service anniversary at the PNP's national headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
CHR Executive Director Jacqueline Ann de Guia said that President Marcos' instructions make the commission hopeful that he will remain cognizant to the value and primacy of human rights, which in turn will translate to better policies and programs that will help strengthen human rights protection and promotion.
Most of all, De Guia said, the CHR hopes that President Marcos' instructions will be heeded by every PNP member.
"We similarly remind our police officers that use of force shall always be the last resort in the conduct of operations. This is in line with the PNP Manual of Operations on the prohibition on the use of excessive force," De Guia said.
If heeded, the statements of President Marcos are a turning point in terms of human rights as the CHR has received complaints and investigated numerous incidents regarding the alleged abuse of police power and the use of unnecessary force by the police over the past few years.
PNP Chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. has started reforming the police force through the Kapulisan, Simbahan, at Pamayanan or the Kasimbayanan program.
Through the Kasimbayanan program, the PNP will review the current PNP curriculum and training programs for new recruits and officers and collaborate with faith-based leaders to get a better grasp of the needs and issues of the communities, among other things.