THE anti-drug campaign of the Marcos administration will be marked by a “deeply human approach,” with the use of deadly force only as a last resort and criminal masterminds as the target, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
Remulla touted the approach of the administration in its campaign against illegal drugs in his speech before the 51st Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland where he led the Philippine delegation.
The approach is in marked contrast to the bloody crackdown against those allegedly involved in the narcotics trade under the Duterte administration, where thousands of alleged drug pushers and users were killed by the police.
The killings have been denounced by local and international organizations and is the subject of an investigation by the International Criminal Court.
Remulla said the government is currently undertaking a “transformational” reform of its justice and law enforcement sectors to ensure the rule of law and the promotion and protection of the human rights of its citizens.
“We are on a new pathway towards an inclusive and empowering ecosystem of social justice. President Marcos is a consensus builder and has a deeply human approach to law enforcement and the anti-illegal drug campaign,” Remulla told the UN gathering.
“President Marcos has refocused the anti-illegal drug campaign by tackling the problem at its source. He has reminded the Philippine National Police that the use of force must always be reasonable, accountable, justifiable and only utilized when necessary. He has stated that criminal masterminds must be apprehended and punished, not small-scale users on the street,” he added.
Remulla said there will also be greater focus and resources on the rehabilitative and preventive aspect of the campaign, as well as education and assistance to victims and their families.
“These targeted and bold measures aim to change the culture of our judicial and law enforcement system, which have produced certain flaws and delays in the carriage of justice,” Remulla said.
Rather than deny human rights abuses, Remulla acknowledged the need to “change the culture of our judicial and law enforcement system, which have produced certain flaws and delays in the carriage of justice.”
He said he wants to inject human rights in law enforcement and judicial processes.
Remulla also told the gathering that seven incidents involving alleged “nanlaban” deaths in anti-drug operations were filed before the courts against a total of 25 police officers.
