The Philippine National Police (PNP) is the country’s national police force mandated by law to, among others, enforce the law, maintain peace, order, and security in our communities while preventing and investigating crime. This mandate demonstrates the duties of government in ensuring that the rule of law is adhered to, and the rights of every individual are respected, protected, and fulfilled.

In the past years, however, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has received complaints and investigated numerous incidents regarding the alleged abuse of police power and the use of unnecessary force by the police. These incidents were similarly evident in the previous administration’s campaign against illegal drugs ().

In support and recognition of PNP Chief’s Rodolfo Azurin Jr’s thrust to reform the police force through the Kapulisan, Simbahan, at Pamayanan or the Kasimbayanan program (), we take comfort in the reminder of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on observing impartiality and the use of force to be undertaken only when reasonable, justifiable, and necessary.

This was the Chief Executive’s reminder during the 121st Police Service Anniversary at the PNP’s national headquarters in Camp Crame.

We similarly remind our police officers use of force shall always be the last resort in the conduct of operations. This is in line with the PNP Manual of Operations on the prohibition on the use of excessive force.

CHR hopes that the reminder of the President will be heeded by each and everyone in PNP. At the same time, we are hopeful that, with such pronouncements, the administration of President Marcos will remain cognisant of the value and primacy of human rights in governance, which will translate to better policies and programmes that will help strengthen human rights protection and promotion throughout this term and in the long-run. ###