CHR: No plan to file case vs police chiefs

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) yesterday dismissed as “fake news” reports that it will file cases against police officials for supposedly shaming a police officer addicted to illegal drugs.

CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said there is no truth to the reports saying they will file a case against Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde and National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Guillermo Eleazar. 

“This is the latest string of fake news which the Commission on Human Rights decries,” said De Guia. 

“The commission vehemently condemns attempts to paint a misleading picture of our mandate and actions,” she added. 

The CHR official urged the public to be vigilant in ascertaining the truth. 

“We shall neither be influenced nor coerced into doing something or not as we are steadfast in our commitment to stay faithful to our mandate and maintain the integrity of our investigations,” she added. 

Circulating posts claimed that the CHR and other rights groups are planning to file a case against Albayalde and Eleazar after they allegedly humiliated a rookie policeman involved in illegal drugs. 

No CHR statement was issued in relation to the supposed incident. 

What the CHR issued was a statement stressing that police scalawags must be accorded due process in pursuing charges against them. 

“Ninja cops or scalawags in the police force, the commission agrees, are a disgrace to the institution and therefore, must be removed from the service,” said De Guia. 

“However, like any human being, their lives are priceless too and should not be equated to any amount, however low or exorbitant it may be,” she added. 

The CHR spokesperson was responding to President Duterte’s offer for P500,000 for every erring policeman killed by law enforcers.