On Wednesday, 3 August 2022, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla expressed the agency’s commitment to continue their investigations on the previous administration’s campaign against illegal drugs, as well as share with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) all data they have obtained. The Commission duly acknowledges these statements as affirmations to their sworn obligations.

CHR, likewise, welcomes the reiteration of DOJ’s agreement to collaborate with CHR. It can be recalled that in 2020, CHR and the Justice Department, through its Administrative Order No. 35 Secretariat (AO 35), signed a Data Sharing Agreement covering cases of extra-legal killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and other grave human rights violations. The DSA demonstrates the mutual cooperation of the two institutions to uphold human rights and serve the ends of justice for drug war victims.

With the recent pronouncement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not to rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Philippine Government must now uphold complementarity to validate the functionality of our justice system. On this, we recognise the DOJ’s confirmation that ICC will be furnished with all available information as a matter of comity. SOJ Remulla further declared objectivity, saying that there will be ‘no sacred cows, no matter who they are’.

CHR also notes the Justice Secretary’s concern with regards to the lack of witnesses. We reiterate the need to ensure the safety and protection of witnesses without discrimination. Assurance by the government that individual testimonies will be heard and not be met with violence or intimidation is a rightful step towards ending a culture of fear and silence.

With this, CHR hopes that more cases will reach the court and finally yield impartial court rulings. We also look forward to more law enforcement agencies following the lead of the DOJ in being more open and transparent with their investigations. Such willful actions will exhibit the State’s robust accountability mechanisms that adhere to the rule of law.

CHR, as an independent national human rights institution, reaffirms its readiness to partner with concerned government offices to advance the progress of investigations and maintain the exercise of due process. Let us remain resolute in our functions and obligations, so that we can deliver truth and justice to the most vulnerable of Filipinos. ###