Respect for human rights including that of drug lords far outweighs the use of deadly force by law enforcers to eradicate the drug menace in the country.

This was the position of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGB) as stated by Provincial Administrator Alfonso “Ae” Damalerio yesterday, Friday, June 3, 2016 during the program “Kita ug ang Gobernador”, the weekly dialogue with the governor and the Bohol media.

Damalerio responded to a question raised on the position of the PGB to President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s policy of awarding monetary rewards to law enforcement officers for killing persons suspected of involvement in the illegal drug trade

“We have given plaques of appreciation to police officers who conducted successful operations against drug personalities and also rewarded them with small monetary incentives for their gallant efforts”, said Damalerio.

Duterte, during the campaign period announced his “kill a drug lord and get a reward” to police officers who kill a drug lord and stressed that his order to the police is to capture drug lords “dead or alive”.

Left over campaign funds amounting to P3 million will be used for reward money which according to Duterte “will cover 100 bodies”. Duterte believes that killing a drug lord who fights law enforcers is not a violation of human rights.

Also, Cebu City Mayor – elect Tomas Osmena is willing to give P50,000 to a police officer for every drug lord or criminal killed.

The United Nations (UN) Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials has set out strict human rights safeguard for the use of force.

The code provides that law enforcers should only use force as a last resort and must be proportionate to the threat encountered to minimize damage and injury. (Chito M. Visarra with reports from Allen Doydora)