The Police Regional Office 4B has subjected its personnel, including operatives of its regional drug enforcement unit, to a human rights-related seminar in a bid to ensure that all police operations in the region will adhere to the basic principles of human rights laws and regulations.
PRO4B director Brig. Gen. Joel B. Doria said the one day-seminar, held in coordination with the Commission on Human Rights, was attended by 79 policemen assigned in Mimaropa (Mindoro Oriental and Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan).
Among those who attended the seminar are personnel from the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit 4B.
Doria explained that the seminar was conducted to ensure that PNP personnel become compliant with CHR laws and regulations.
"We want to make sure that all our personnel are fully aware and compliant with the human rights laws and regulations, as we are committed to upholding and promoting the rights and welfare of all individuals," said Doria.
President Marcos earlier admitted that there were abuses committed in the conduct of aggressive anti-illegal drugs operations and his stand on addressing the issue was reflected on the policies implemented by his first top cop, retired national police chief Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. to prove that bloodless drug war is possible.
Doria said the conduct of the seminar is in line with the five-point agenda of national police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr., particularly on aggressive and honest law enforcement operations that respect human rights and enhancing police integrity.
“We hope that this seminar will help us in our efforts to promote and uphold human rights in all our operations because aggressive and honest law enforcement operations that respect human rights and enhance police integrity are the foundation of our profession as law enforcers,” said Doria.
During the seminar, Khristine Lorraine M. Cacatian, Training Specialist IV and OIC Promotion and Advocacy Division, and Joy E. Estrada, Information Officer III of the Promotion and Advocacy Division, discussed the basic concepts and principles of human rights, state obligations, and CHR mandate, functions, programs, and services.
Lawyer Rasheda L. Agustin, of the Legal Division of CHR Mimaropa, emphasized and tackled the importance of human rights-based policing in the PNP.
Post-test and open forum sessions were conducted after each topic to assess the participants’ knowledge and ensure that the objectives of the program were met.
The Human Rights Seminar was conducted in line with LOI PAMANA 55/07, “PNP Human Rights Development Program” of the PNP; and the CHR's mandate to regularly educate both duty-bearers and rights-holders about human rights.