CHR said they are one with the PNP in protecting people's rights

Ma. Lourdes "Miami" Ebilane
July 14, 2008
Story 2: CHR said they are one with the PNP in protecting people's rights

Commission on Human Rights (CHR) head said that the CHR and the Philippine National
Police are one in protecting human rights.

CHR Chair Leila de Lima was the guest speaker during the flag ceremony at the Phlippine
National Police Headquarters in Camp Crame. This is also in line with the first anniversary of the Human Rigahts Affairs offcie of the PNP.

She said on her statement"The human rights campaign within the PNP is fully supported by
the CHR. in line with our mandate to investigate and monitor government compliance with
human rights standards."

She also clear that the CHR is not anti-government nor anti-PNP, in an interview she said, it
is a wrong perception to conclude that they are against the government or even the PNP
and said that they are one with the PNP in upholding human rights.

"You have to understand, the victims are the ones approaching us, seeking for help, of
course we will going to help them. It just so happened that we are investigating on the
human rights side aspect and not the criminality of it," De Lima explained.

On the ambush interview, she said that the PNP and AFP is the number one in their list as
human rights violator. But de Lima said that she was on the position only two months ago,
and she will check if this alredy dropped or not.

She also added that she is planning to gather all the data or statistic and to know the status of other reports to determine what are the usually complaints of victims to the policemen.

Meanwhile, NCRPO Director General Geary Barias said, "It is understandable that we are
number one on the list because some people being arrested are complaining on they way
they were arrested even if it is a legitimate one."

With regards to the Tanauan incident, De Lima said they are still conducting investigation on it, and hoping to release their resolution before the end of the month. They are also studying if they will investigate other incidents in Batangas that lead to the alleged suspects of RCBC Massacre.