Eleazar: Domestic remedies, justice system working in PH
THE wheels of justice in the country are fully in motion and local remedies are working when it comes to investigating alleged abuses committed by law enforcement agents tasked to wage an unrelenting war on drugs since 2016, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar said on Saturday.
The PNP chief issued the statement amid reports that the Commission on Human Rights had expressed hope that domestic remedies work before the International Criminal Court investigates accusations of crimes against humanity in the enforcement of the government’s war on drugs.
“When it comes to domestic remedies, may mga ahensya po tayo na kasalukuyan nang tumitingin sa mga alegasyon ng human rights violations sa bansa,” he said.
“One of these remedies is the partnership of the PNP and the Department of Justice (DOJ) in reviewing cases involving policemen found to have committed lapses on the Police Operating Procedure in the conduct of anti-illegal drug operations,” Eleazar explained.
He said by giving access to these documents to the DOJ for review, the PNP demonstrates its openness to holding police personnel accountable for their crimes should there be a finding of criminal liability by the agency.
“We have nothing to hide and we have committed to make available to the DOJ any other document that may be asked of us in the course of the department’s review,” leazar assured.
Recently, the PNP gave the DOJ access to 53 case records from the PNP-IAS for its review.
Eleazar pointed out that the justice system in the Philippines may not be perfect but it is working.
“We in the PNP firmly believe that the wheels of justice in the country are in motion. Marami na po tayong pulis na napanagot dahil sa paglabag sa batas at pagabuso sa kapangyarihan,” he said.
“Bawat alegasyon din po sa ating mga kapulisan ay agad nating sinisilip at iniimbestigahan dahil hindi natin kinukunsinti ang mga tiwali at abusado sa hanay ng PNP,” he added.
