We in the Commission on Human Rights continue to pursue our Constitutional duty of promoting and protecting human rights of all even in the face of blatant challenges to our mandate and existence in the past years.
Recent statements have circulated casting doubts on our work, especially on the investigations of deaths linked to the government’s anti-drug campaign.
For the record, as early as 2016, CHR has sent formal letters to the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership, aside from public calls, reiterating our numerous requests to be provided with copies of the complete records of all cases being investigated by police in relation to the campaign against illegal drugs, especially those that resulted to deaths.
Up until this date, we have yet to receive the said case folders despite statements of openness to cooperate with CHR as the country’s independent national human rights institution.
In 2016, a Senate inquiry, led by the Justice and Human Rights Committee, also sought to probe alleged cases of extrajudicial killings in the country. CHR attended and was ready to explain its side with its witnesses, but was barred from getting heard.
In the face of an approved UN Human Rights Council resolution calling for a comprehensive probe on the human rights situation in the Philippines, we welcome statements affirming the value of the Commission, even describing it as “perfectly working.” We look forward to such affirmations translating to support during budget deliberations and in extending support to our work when it is time for us to demand greater truth and accountability for the allegations of human rights violations made against the Filipino people. ###