Calls to End Police Arrest Quota
Supporters of political prisoners have urged new national police chief Melencio Nartatez, Jr. to immediately reverse the controversial quota policy on police arrests. This quota system, implemented under the previous leadership, has been criticized for undermining effective crime prevention efforts.
According to community advocates, the quota on arrests has only intensified impunity and worsened jail overcrowding without addressing the root causes of crime. The call to reverse the quota policy comes as Nartatez prepares to take over from former chief Nicolas Torre.
Human Rights Concerns and Calls for Reform
The group also demanded that the police end the routine planting of firearms and fabrication of charges against activists. They stressed the importance of adopting a human-rights-centered approach in law enforcement activities, urging the new chief to “start living up to the human rights principles the institution claims to observe.”
Under former chief Torre, police officers were instructed to “ramp up arrests” related to drug cases. Although Torre later clarified that there was “no quota,” arrest numbers remained a key metric for evaluating police performance. This directive raised alarm among human rights bodies.
Risks of Quota Policy Highlighted
The Commission on Human Rights expressed concern that the arrest quota could incentivize abusive and arbitrary practices. Similarly, human rights advocates warned that such policies might lead to wrongful arrests and undermine due process protections for suspects.
Legal Victories for Activists
In recent months, several activists have won legal battles after courts dismissed “trumped-up” charges against them. These charges included frustrated murder and illegal possession of firearms and explosives, often based on insufficient evidence presented by the police.
Those cleared include indigenous rights advocate Myrna Cruz-Abraham; former University of the Philippines student regent Desiree Jaranilla-Patun-og; peasant organizers Maria Theresa Buscayno, Oliver Millo, and Andres Ely; peace consultant Adelberto Silva; union organizer Ireneo Atadero; farmer Edisel Legazpi; and women’s rights advocate Hedda Calderon.
Ongoing Detention of Political Prisoners
Human rights monitors report that over 700 political prisoners remain detained as of June this year. Of these, at least 164 were arrested under the current administration, highlighting ongoing concerns about political repression.
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