Collateral damages during police operations may be unavoidable. But there is always the need to investigate to ensure that everything was done to avoid such mishaps and that accountabilities can equally be determined, should there be any lapses or violations.

Akin to ‘nanlaban’ cases, deaths categorised as ‘collateral damages’ cannot be simply dismissed. There should always be a higher threshold in protecting the right to life.

As we have previously stressed, our Constitution assures that “no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.” We remind the government, especially our law enforcers in this case, that it is their mandate to ensure that these guarantees are carried out, and not merely dismiss possible human rights violations nonchalantly, as part of their sworn duty to serve and protect the people. ###