The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) remains firm in its pursuit of criminal and administrative cases against the police officers of the Manila Police District (MPD) – Raxabago Police Station 1 over its secret detention cell in 2017.

The Ombudsman’s decision to junk the case is a setback in our effort to eliminate the illegal practice of using secret detention facilities. Torture and degrading treatment usually take place in hidden jails. Hence, it is expressly prohibited in the Constitution and the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 to prevent abuses and violations against detainees.

CHR filed the charges to ensure accountability among erring police officers. Scalawags among the police ranks will not be truly dealt with if those who have committed serious violations, particularly concerning fundamental human rights, are not held to account. Such practice may persist and may even embolden police officers and authorities who are inclined to engage in such wrongful practice.

The shocking and dehumanizing violations against the rights of detained persons in the MPD secret cell necessitate accountability. It can be recalled that in 2017, the House Committee on Human Rights has also unanimously recommended the filing of charges against erring cops.

The liabilities of the police not only breaches human rights standards but also their very own police operational procedures. Their lapses and actions in this case negated their very mandate, which is “to serve and protect.”

We appeal to the Ombudsman to thoroughly review their decision. It is crucial that we work together in ensuring that grave abuses are held to account to prevent such abuses from happening again.

As institutions tasked to check abuse of power, the protection of the rights of all, particularly the vulnerable sectors, is the essence of our mandate. It is crucial that we preserve the faith of the people in the rule of law by demonstrating with resolve that justice can ultimately prevail. ###