TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, March 9 (PIA) – – The Human Rights Action Office of the Philippine National Police (HRAO-PNP) has oriented the men-in-uniform, civil society organizations, media and government employees on the standard operating procedures of the police in law enforcement.
Police Superintendent Sarah B. Abad, chief-human rights action officer of the PNP National Office, said the forum was part of the rights-based policy advocacy of the police department to correct the misconduct of the police officials in the performance of their duties.
“We need a collaborative effort to address issues on human rights violations involving our police officials. This is part of the effort of the administration to correct inhumane approach in enforcing laws,” Abad said.
She said part of the forum was the discussion of the provisions of the law about arrest, seizure, search, checkpoint, custodial investigation, imprisonment and the rights of accused who are under custodial investigations to include the ‘Miranda Right’ or the right to remain silent and the right of having a counsel.
On the part of the Commission on Human Rights, Atty. Jimmy P. Baliga, regional director, discussed the salient features of the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 which are commonly violated by the arresting officials or custodians.
PNP Region 2 Director Eliseo Tam-Rasco urged his men-in-uniform as well other sectors to always uphold and respect human rights as they perform their duties and responsibilities in the enforcements of laws.
“We should always be firm, fair, lawful and transparent law enforcers and advocates of human rights as well,” Rasco said. (ALM/MDCT/OTB/PIA-Cagayan)
