The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday, Jan. 6, said that accountability must be carried out in the efforts of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to cleanse its ranks of officers involved in illegal drugs.

In a statement, the CHR said that “a resignation or removal from office may only be the first step in the pursuit of justice, and not an omission of liability.”

“If allegations are proven to be true, criminal and administrative charges should be filed against erring officers of the PNP,” the commission stressed.

Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which has administrative control and operational supervision over the PNP, has called on senior police officials to submit their “courtesy resignation” amidst the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs.

Abalos said that “courtesy resignation” from full colonels to generals is part of the internal cleansing of the PNP following reports of the resurgence of “ninja cops” or police personnel involved in illegal drugs.

The CHR said that while it acknowledges Secretary Abalos’ “expeditious approach, it must be stressed that accountability must be carried out to its fullest extent.”

It said that “implementing serious reforms and policy shifts within the PNP is crucial in the government’s multi-sectoral course of action to combat the persistent drug problem in the country.”

It again noted the DILG’s Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program, which Secretary Abalos described as “a different approach that will work within the framework of the law and with respect for human rights and with focus on rehabilitation and socio-economic development.”

“To this end, CHR underscores the principles of due process and rule of law,” it said.

“Parallel to the adoption of a human-rights based means to drug recovery must be the imposition of criminal-legal sanctions against guilty perpetrators. When lawlessness is dealt with according to law, it demonstrates a robust and working justice system in the country,” it also said.

At the same time, the CHR said that “holding officials liable for possible human rights violations indicates integrity and seriousness on the government’s part in terms of ending the culture of impunity.”

“Above all, we ask that the victims of the drug war be at the core of the administration’s continued anti-illegal drugs campaign. Ascertaining justice for families whose loved ones were arbitrarily deprived of opportunity and life is a realization of their duty to serve and protect,” it stressed.

It assured its “collaboration with law enforcement agencies regarding the progress of cases involving police officers... and continued commitment to improve the human rights education and training programs for the security sector.”

TAGS: #CHR #PNP #Courtesy resignation #Illegal drugs