04 October 2017
PRESS STATEMENT

Statement of the Commission on Human Rights
calling the Philippine government to address continuing human rights abuses in the country

The Commission on Human Rights believes that there must be a more truthful assessment of the prevailing human rights situation in the country following the 3rd Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review of the Philippines on 22 September in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Commission welcomes the Philippine government’s move to accept recommendations from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) pertaining to the eradication of poverty, climate change, improving access to health care and public education, and development in support of economic and social rights among others. But we believe that equal importance should also be given to the rising death toll related to the government’s campaign against illegal drugs, as well as the consequent culture of impunity.

The Commission also recognizes the joint statement of the 39 UN member states, led by Iceland, which calls on the Philippine government to probe the rampant killings in the country and provide protection for human rights defenders, journalists, and indigenous peoples. Their call echoes the Commission’s statements to reinforce the application of the rule of law and due process in light of the current human rights context in the country. This also demonstrates that human rights is not a mere limited, domestic issue, but is a concern of a larger fraternity of nations.
Out of the 257 recommendations by the UNHRC to the Philippine government, the country only accepted 103; noted 99 for consideration; and rejected 55 recommendations. Majority of those unaccepted recommendations include those that call for a comprehensive investigation of alleged extrajudicial killings in the country, in connection with the administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign.

We take note of the statement of the Philippine government, delivered through its deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, invoking a number of well-functioning mechanisms investigating domestic human rights violations.

The Commission continues to call for genuine, open, and transparent investigation by the government of extra-judicial killings. The Commission still awaits receiving copies of case files on extrajudicial killings from the Philippine National Police—a commitment that it had earlier made, before the same was withdrawn upon the President’s instruction. We believe that respecting such a commitment would reflect respect for the Commission’s mandate as a check-and-balance mechanism, alongside other Constitutional institutions in a working democracy.

In this regard, the Commission expresses its gravest concern on the threatening pronouncements issued by the President against the Deputy Ombudsman investigating allegations of hidden deposits and unexplained wealth of the President. This cannot but be construed as a direct assault on the independence of a Constitutional body, which should not be tolerated in any democracy.

Government institutions should, ultimately, work in the interest of the public good founded on the respect for the rule of law and mindful of the dignity of all. ###

Contact Person:

Atty. Jacqueline Ann C. de Guia
Director, Public Affairs and Strategic Communication Office
Telephone No: (02) 928-5792 / 0977 284 0787
Email address: comms.chr@gmail.com