AI CITES PNP HUMAN RIGHTS BEST PRACTICES The Philippines has been recognized by the human rights watchdog Amnesty International (AI) for taking tangible steps in improving the Philippines’ human rights record AI Director Steve Crawshaw said the human rights watchdog is interested in learning from the experience of the PNP on the Challenges and Breakthroughs in Human Rights Promotion and Protection. Crawshaw, representing AI Secretary General Salil Shetty, led an 8-man AI delegation that visited the PNP National Headquarters in Camp Crame today as part of the group’s itinerary in its Asian sortie. During the visit, Crawshaw discussed general issues and concerns on human rights with PNP officials led by PDDGen Felipe Rojas, PNP Deputy Chief for Administration (DCA). Rojas cited a report by the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) that showed a sharp decline in reported cases of torture and ill-treatment from a high of 53 cases in 2010 and 68 cases in 2011, down to only six (6) cases in 2013. The CHR also reported a similar trend in cases of extra-legal killings from 89 cases in 2010 down to only 15 cases in 2013. The CHR report is consistent with the AI assessment that in the last decade the Philippines has taken steps in addressing human rights concerns by establishing an excellent human rights treaty ratification record and robust human rights-based national laws Because the legal infrastructure is already in place in the Philippines, proper implementation of the existing laws and policies against torture and improvements in the criminal justice and accountability systems will ultimately led to ending the use of torture in the country, the AI said. Chief Superintendent Antonio Viernes, Chief of the PNP Human Rights Affairs Office (HRAO) said over the years, the PNP has steadily institutionalized stronger safeguards to ensure strict adherence to international human rights standards in all aspects of police operation and procedure. These include, Viernes said established policies on: · Incorporation of Human Rights Subjects in all Mandatory & Special Training Courses; · Use of Miranda Warning Cards; · Upholding the Visitorial Powers; · Banning the Media Presentation of Suspects; · Mandatory Attendance & Cooperation during Congressional Hearings & Public Inquiries related to Human Rights; · Banning Hazing and Other Forms of Maltreatment in all Police Education & Training Activities; and · Anti-Torture & Human Rights Protection Training for Detention Authorities To ensure wider awareness and implementation of the PNP human rights policy, Viernes said human rights principles and standards have been incorporated in the Revised PNP Manual on Police Operational Procedures, 2010 & 2013 edition: “All police personnel shall first and foremost be mindful and considerate of the protection of every citizen’s honor, human rights, and safety in the pursuit of their responsibility in law enforcement,” Viernes said. PNP Spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Wilben M Mayor said the PNP has taken swift and decisive action on some reported cases of alleged human rights violation involving some PNP personnel. These include the alleged torture during detention of a former police informant by four (4) members of the Parañaque City Police Office who are now undergoing investigation by the Internal Affairs Service (IAS). Mayor said, five PNP personnel of Laguna Police Provincial Office were meted different degrees of disciplinary sanction for their involvement in the infamous “Wheel of Torture” incident in the province that was uncovered through the exercise of visitorial powers and audit on PNP detention facilities. (PNP-PIO)
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 00:29:14 +0000
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