As early as 2021, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) had validated the concept of “awards, rewards, recognition” to policemen for the killings of suspected illegal drugs offenders.
Just recently, retired police colonel Royina Garma revealed during the investigation by the House of Representatives’ Quad-Committee the "reward system" in the implementation of the anti-drug campaigns during the past administration.
With Garma’s disclosure, the CHR expressed optimism on the outcome of the Quad-Comm’s hearings so that justice can be served on victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs).
The CHR is one of the resource agencies in the Quad-Comm hearings. It assured its full support and cooperation during the hearings.
The CHR’s 2021 findings state:
“From the sample 579 cases, 870 were recorded as victims, at least 71 of whom are women, and at least 24 were minors. Four hundred fifty- one incidents of killings were allegedly attributed to police operations; 104 were said to be committed by unidentified perpetrators; while 24 incidents have no sufficient information as to the circumstances.
“The 451 cases of killings allegedly linked to police operations tallied 705 victims and, out of this number, the police claims 466 individuals initiated aggression or resisted arrest or the so-called ‘nanlaban’ cases.
“However, despite police protocols prescribing necessary and reasonable force in subduing resistance by an aggressor, only two percent or 11 individuals survived the alleged ‘nanlaban’ incidents.
“Records of at least 87 victims contained information on the wounds or injuries found—mostly multiple gunshot wounds on different parts of the body, usually the head, chest, trunk, and abdomen. Blunt force and injury and lacerations were also found on some of the victims.
“It was also observed that, for investigation reports secured by CHR from the police, 77 out of 90 reports complete with results of internal investigation findings contained recommendations that police operatives involved in the said incidents are either to be awarded, rewarded, or recognized.
“Some reports, while no mention of commendation, upheld legitimacy of operations and, in few reports, recommended that participating operatives be absolved from criminal or administrative liability.
“There are also other patterns of discrepancies based on eyewitness accounts during drug operations by law enforcers, including: that the alleged operations might have not actually been conducted; that alleged ‘nanlaban’ victims could not have initiated a shootout; that some victims were said to be already under police custody when they were killed; that allegedly unjustified violence was prevalent in the conduct of said operations; that planting of evidence was observed by witnesses in some incidents; and that some victims killed might not have been the intended target of the operations.”
In its 2022 update, the CHR said: “There is a consistent narrative by law enforcers alleging victims-initiated aggression or resisted arrest (‘nanlaban’); there is use of excessive and disproportionate force; targeted victims were mostly civilians killed in uninhabited locations sustaining gunshot wounds in the heads and/or torso; there is non-cooperation by the police; and there is a lack of effective, prompt, and transparent accountability mechanism to address the drug-related killings."
In the same statement, the CHR said it is monitoring closely the testimonies and emerging pieces of evidence to contribute to its own ongoing investigation.
“We are hopeful that the Quad Comm's inquiry will lead to tangible progress in advancing justice for the victims of EJKs. Given the considerable challenges the CHR faced during the past administration, we are encouraged that the current socio-political climate offers a more conducive environment for the resolution of these cases,” it said.
It also said: “It cannot be overemphasized that justice and accountability must be pursued considering the significant number of alleged EJK cases as well as the alleged involvement of high-profile personalities. After years of raising concerns over the anti-drug campaign and relentless call for accountability, the CHR welcomes these promising developments that may contribute to the long-awaited pursuit of justice.”