The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in the province said that it is ready to handle more complaints should the redeployment of the police as part of the government’s anti-drug campaign lead to human rights violations and questionable killings of suspects and drug-linked individuals.
According to CHR Bohol chief investigator Alfonso Bayocot, they are expecting heavier workload particularly in investigating various police operations, similar to what happened during the previous months wherein a slew of allegations on extrajudicial killings emerged in relation to the government’s war on drugs.
Bayocot, however, hopes that it would not be the case this time.
“Mo daghan na pud among trabaho ani,” said Bayocot. “Sa pattern man gud sa una, mao man gyud to nahitabo, pero ato lang i-ampo nga dili na to mahitabo tulad sa una.”
Meanwhile, the CHR expressed willingness to coordinate with the police in conducting human rights seminars for policemen before they rejoin the anti-drug drive.
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“Kung mo request sila na mo seminar OK kaayo, nag paabot lang mi sa ilang request,” said Bayocot.
So far, dialogues between the police and the CHR on human rights issues have only been conducted at the regional level, particularly in Cebu.
Earlier, the Philippine National Police (PNP) noted that it will be releasing new guidelines for their implementation of the war on drugs.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, however, will still be the anti-drug drive’s lead agency while the PNP provides support. (A. Doydora)