MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Nicolas Torre III assured the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) that all actions of the police force, particularly in the campaign against illegal drugs, adhere to the country’s laws and protect the rights of citizens.
The newly appointed PNP official made the remark after the CHR expressed concern over his directive that the number of arrests linked to illegal drugs will be among the standards in assessing police personnel’s performance.
“We are not encouraging illegal shortcuts, nor are we measuring success solely by the number of arrests. What we are advocating for is genuine, lawful action. Everything we do is within the ambit of the law,” Torre said in a statement.
He stated that all police operations adhere strictly to legal standards and due process, as outlined in the Constitution, the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure, and the PNP Operational Procedures.
Torre emphasized that his request for police officers to adopt a more proactive approach in apprehending drug offenders and other criminals is not a competition for higher numbers, but rather a call for enhanced diligence, efficiency, and adherence to the law in police activities.
“If you believe in your case, go to the prosecutor, raise your hand to the judge, and present your evidence. That’s the only way to prove you’re a good police officer — arrest the criminal, follow due process, and let the courts decide,” he said.
Torre emphasized that officers making arrests must adhere to stringent guidelines that necessitate either valid warrants or lawful justifications for conducting warrantless arrests.
Torre also stated that police officers are consistently trained and reminded to carry out their operations with the highest level of professionalism, respect for human rights, and compliance with established procedures, which encompass non-lethal methods and the humane treatment of individuals deprived of their liberty.
“We welcome the reminder of the CHR and we assure them — and the Filipino people — that due process remains at the heart of our anti-drug campaign. We are committed to ensuring that no rights are violated in the performance of our sworn duties,” he said./PN
