THE Philippines has failed to convince some member countries of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that the human rights situation in the country has drastically improved, with some of them saying that Manila should take further action to protect and promote human rights, address killings related to the drug war, and ensure that victims get justice.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla is in Geneva, Switzerland to attend the UNHRC’s Universal Periodic Review of the human rights condition among its member countries.
Representatives from Australia, Germany, Canada, Brazil and Croatia urged Remulla to further improve government efforts to ensure that human rights are protected.
Austria, Cyprus, Costa Rica, Ireland and France, on the other hand, urged the Philippines to rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The previous Duterte administration withdrew from the ICC in 2018 after a push by the international community to investigate the alleged abuses and extrajudicial killings related to the government’s crackdown on illegal drugs.
“We regret that since the last Universal Periodic Review, the Philippines has withdrawn from the ICC. We remind the Philippines of its obligation to cooperate with the prosecutor’s ongoing investigation into alleged international crimes commission and ensure access to justice to victims,” Ireland’s representative told the council.
Australia also recommended that Manila strengthen mechanisms to deter violence targeting human rights activists, while Canada pushed for the decriminalization of libel.
Canada said Manila must ensure effective prosecution of those behind summary killings related to the war on drugs.
Likewise, France reminded the Philippine delegation of the need for the Marcos administration to take concrete measures to combat impunity, especially those involved in extrajudicial killings.
Belgium meanwhile recommended that Manila take swift action on the killing of journalists in the country.
Only China acknowledged the Philippines’ efforts in protecting human rights, adding that the latter should continue pushing ahead in developing its economy “to provide a solid foundation for its people to enjoy all human rights.”
PH REPORT
In his statement to the council, Remulla said Manila has so far accepted and implemented 103 of the 257 recommendations of the previous UPR review.
The current review on the Philippines human rights records was the fourth such review since 2017.
With only about five months in office of the Marcos administration, most of the fourth UPR delve into the conduct of the past Duterte administration.
Remulla assured the UNHRC member-states that the country has provided and will always provide an “enabling space” for civil society and human rights defenders.
“We have a thriving, vibrant and participative democratic space,” he said, adding that reforms were underway to dispel the notion that impunity is taking place in the Philippines.
The Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) said the government has made significant strides in the promotion and protection of human rights in the country since President Marcos assumed office this year.
The OPS said this is evidenced by the government’s strict compliance and implementation of the policy that the “rule of law applies to everyone.”
In a press release, OPS said no less than the President has recognized the efforts of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for their exemplary performance, particularly in resolving the killing of veteran broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa, which it said was “practically solved in 17 days” and led to the charging ranking government officials.
It added that other proof of the administration’s commitment to protect and promote human rights was the release of more than 700 persons deprived of liberty under its efforts to decongest detention facilities.
“In addition, investigative and accountability processes for better case build-up were streamlined. Proving that the rule of law applies to everyone under the Marcos administration, 25 police officers were indicted, resulting from the work of the Review Panel looking into incidents in the context of the anti-illegal drug campaign,” it also said.
OPS said internal investigation of the PNP on cases of abuse within its ranks has also resulted in 27 police officers being dismissed from service, 18 officers being demoted, and 98 officers being suspended.
Remulla likewise highlighted the speedy investigation and filing of cases in the October 3 Lapid slay, the investigation on the cause of death of over 170 inmates whose unclaimed cadavers were discovered in a local funeral home, and the investigative and accountability processes for better case building as among the measures meant to give life to the Marcos administration’s pledge for a “transformational reform” of its justice and law enforcement sectors.
“The Philippine National Police conducted its own investigations of 17,500 officers in which 27 were dismissed from service, 18 were demoted and 98 suspended. Criminal charges were also filed,” Remulla said.
“Nine additional cases will be filed with the Administrative Order 35 Mechanism that looks into allegations of extra-judicial killings. This is a fruit of enhanced, secure, and open dialogue I have personally made with civil society leaders who previously did not wish to come forward,” he added.
He also told the council that the Marcos administration had refocused the controversial war on drugs towards rehabilitation and poverty alleviation instead of the use of force.
“The Review Panel created by the Department of Justice to re-examine incidents during the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign continues its important work, Recently, at least seven incidents involving deaths were filed before the courts for which 25 police officers have been indicted,” he said.
Remulla also said that a total of 302 more cases have been referred by the review panel to the National Bureau of Investigation for case build-ups.
“We will dispel the mistaken notion that there is a culture of impunity in our country. We will not tolerate the denial of justice nor any violation of human rights,” he added.
Remulla also told the council of the government’s effort to decongest the prison system saying that 728 prisoners were released in September and October alone.
“I am personally committed to continuing regular releases and aim to have 5,000 released by June next year,” he said.
Remulla previously said the New Bilibid Prison and six other BuCor prison facilities have a 330 percent congestion rate.
The NBP has over 28, 000 inmates, including more than 17, 000 in its maximum security compound.
The national penitentiary was originally meant to house at most 6, 000 inmates when it was constructed in 1940.
As part of the prison decongestion measure, Remulla disclosed to the council the Marcos administration’s plans to transfer the NBP’s maximum security prison to Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, the medium security prison to Tanay, Rizal, and the minimum security prison to Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.
Lastly, Remulla told the council the Marcos administration has no plans to reinstate capital punishment.
“I assure everybody here that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not inclined to restore the death penalty anytime in his term in office,” the DOJ chief added. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
