The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) notes the recent survey, which places the Department of Justice (DOJ) with the highest trust rating among the Executive Department in the National Capital Region at sixty-seven percent. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra attributes the high trust rating of the Department to the active efforts of the Department in upholding the rule of law and human rights. CHR reiterates its recognition of the efforts of the DOJ and hopes that the high public trust will further propel the agency’s momentum in resolving human rights cases.
To recall, the DOJ has started its investigation to look into extralegal killings, enforced disappearances, and other politically-motivated violence under Administrative Order 35 (AO 35). Investigations under AO 35 together with DOJ’s continuing investigations on deaths linked to the government’s campaign against illegal drugs are welcome actions of the present administration in ensuring accountability and justice. The DOJ investigations is among the concrete ways to demonstrate to the international community that local mechanisms are working.
Recently, we recall the CHR’s support for DOJ’s investigation on the Batangas couple killed on ‘Bloody Sunday’ raids () and the criminal charges filed by DOJ against law enforcers in the Commonwealth shootout ().
CHR also welcomes the recent pronouncement of Secretary Guevarra to look into the mismatch between the death certificates and the actual causes of death of some casualties in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs. It is deeply concerning how deaths of individuals due to police operations were allegedly covered-up and made to look like natural deaths. We are hopeful that the DOJ investigations would shed light on these alleged grave irregularities.
As the country’s independent national human rights institution, the Commission is committed in supporting the Philippine government’s efforts and progress in upholding the rule of law and human rights. We place great hope that the trust of the people will continue to inspire the DOJ to expediently address more human rights cases and deliver compassionate justice. ###