QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — The Commission on Human Rights has expressed its concerns about the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte to pardon the policemen involved in the death of former Albuera, Leyte Mayor Roland Espinosa Sr.
“Ngayon po, dapat sampahan ng kaso sa ating mga korte at dumaan sa proseso at antayin yung kapasyahan ng korte kung may sala man o wala,” Commission on Human Rights Chairman Chito Gasco, in an interview said.
According to the CHR, the plan to give clemency should undergo proper procedures.
“Importante po yung batas, pairalin natin ng husto para sa gayon, wala pong nasa labas ng batas. Wala pong mangingibabaw sa batas,” Gascon said.
On Friday, President Duterte made a statement that he would pardon those cops who are implicated in Espinosa’s death at the Baybay sub-provincial jail in November because they followed his orders.
“But these policemen who were charged, I cannot abandon them, I really cannot abandon them. Because maybe they followed my order,” Duterte said.
He clarified that he would issue the pardon after the cases had been resolved in court, in accordance to the law.
Under the 1987 Constitution, “the president may grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons, and remit fines and forfeitures, after conviction by final judgment.”