The recent SWS survey results validate the questions that continue to confront the government’s campaign against illegal drugs, particularly on the truth behind the deaths of suspects who allegedly fought back (“nanlaban”), planting evidence, and, worse, allegations of the police themselves being involved in the illegal drug trade. Such allegations are causes of grave concerns, especially that the death count continues to rise and drug operations are in full throttle. These results also come at a time when the Philippine National Police (PNP) claims to have no objective count of the number of drug users in the Philippines.

We then urge the government to appropriate urgent, concrete actions that address perceptions of the police being involved in the violation of laws and rights. The Commission on Human Rights has already extended our offer for partnership to lessen incidences of alleged human rights violations, as well as our request for case files of these cases in the interest of finding the truth and even helping the PNP clarify circumstances based on evidence. In the end, the Commission seeks to pursue its mandate for the protection of the rights and dignity of all Filipinos.