Human Rights Group Demands Access to Police Records
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A prominent human rights coalition has urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership to grant the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) full access to police records. This demand is part of ongoing efforts to ensure accountability for extrajudicial killings linked to the war on drugs.
The call intensified following the conviction of a police officer involved in a 2016 murder case connected to the drug war initiated under former President Rodrigo Duterte. Advocates assert that transparency and access to records are essential to address the unresolved cases from this period.
Conviction Highlights Slow Justice in Drug War Cases
The Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court (PCICC) welcomed the recent conviction of Police Colonel Dante Lubos. He was found guilty of murdering Ryan Dave Almora inside his residence in Baguio City. Community members regarded the verdict as a rare instance of justice after nearly a decade.
According to local leaders, this conviction is one of the few among over 6,200 deaths recorded during police anti-drug operations, as reported by the PNP. The PCICC noted, “Domestic accountability of those responsible for extrajudicial killings in the war on drugs is still too few, far too slow, and far in between.”
Regional Disparities and Police Resistance
The group emphasized that most convictions to date involve only a handful of cases and none from the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Officials highlighted ongoing challenges in achieving justice across all affected areas.
Moreover, the PCICC criticized the police for citing a 2016 executive order as a reason to withhold cooperation with the CHR. This has hindered efforts to identify liability in many drug war-related deaths.
Urgent Appeal for Presidential and Police Chief Directive
Human rights advocates have called on President Marcos and PNP Chief Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. to issue a clear directive that permits the CHR unrestricted access to police documents. Such access is seen as vital to uncovering the truth behind numerous killings.
Lawyer Ray Paolo Santiago, PCICC co-chairperson, stated, “The findings and decision of (Baguio City) RTC Judge (Rufus) Malecdan are further proof that the ‘nanlaban’ (fought back) narrative used by police officers cannot be used as a basis for the ‘presumption of regularity’ of the killings during police operations.”
Forensic Evidence Challenges Police Claims
The group pointed out that forensic evidence played a crucial role in disproving the police’s narrative in the Almora case. They hope this approach will be applied in other unresolved cases to promote justice and accountability.
Community members expressed concern over some government officials who continue to use their positions to spread false narratives justifying the killings during the drug war.
International Criminal Court Actions and Hopes for Cooperation
The PCICC urged the continuation of International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings, including confirming charges against former President Duterte and issuing necessary arrest warrants. They also expressed optimism that the current Marcos administration would fully cooperate with the ICC’s efforts.
These developments highlight the persistent demand for justice and the urgent need for transparency in addressing the human rights violations associated with the war on drugs.
For more news and updates on war on drugs accountability, visit Filipinokami.com.
