MANILA – Authorities enforcing quarantine rules must still respect the dignity even of violators.
This was the reminder of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to policemen in Silay City, Negros Occidental who paraded residents caught flouting health protocols to stem the spread of coronavirus.
“Addressing the current pandemic must always be guided by human rights principles. The present national health crisis is a human rights issue – not a mere law enforcement matter,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia pointed out.
In its Facebook page, the Silay City police uploaded a video Friday last week showing violators marching on a road with their arms raised forward, following a police patrol car.
The residents in the now-deleted video post were supposedly caught stepping out of their homes without facemask, a violation of the city’s ordinance.
They were then taken to a gymnasium and ordered to stare at an empty coffin. Photos also showed that the residents wore facemasks during the ordeal.
Major Rolly Pondevilla, Silay City police chief, said authorities wanted to lecture rule breakers on the consequence of not wearing a mask, a first-offense penalty, instead of being charged for the violation.
A seminar was conducted at the gymnasium about the importance of following health protocols, according to the police chief.
Details were yet to be made available regarding the identities of the residents caught and ordered to march but sources said there were 39 of them.
The CHR described the incident as “cruel, inhuman and degrading,” noting that the punishment imposed was prohibited under Republic Act No. 9745 (Anti-Torture Act) and barred by an international convention against torture signed by the Philippines.
The commission tasked its office in Western Visayas to spearhead an investigation.
“We look forward to the cooperation of the PNP (Philippine National Police) in Silay City towards addressing this human rights concern,” De Guia said.
For his part, CHR Region 6 director Jonnie Dabuco said he already instructed their sub-office in Bacolod City to conduct an initial probe.
The commission is expected to start today its investigation and will try to reach out first to the quarantine violators.
“After the violators, we are going to talk to the Silay City policemen. We have to give them the chance to explain their side,” Dabuco said.
While the CHR is one with the government in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, Dabuco reminded authorities to remain guided by human rights principles.
De Guia, meanwhile, urged law enforcement officers to coordinate with public health experts on how to better explain and ensure compliance to health safety protocols.
“Human rights must always rest at the core of law enforcement,” she stressed.
On the other hand, Lieutenant Abegael Donasco, spokesperson of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), said they welcomed CHR’s move to investigate the matter.
She disclosed that NOCPPO is also launching a separate probe, adding they do not tolerate any human rights violations committed by cops. (With ABS-CBN News/PN)
