PNP releases human rights desk operations manual

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police Human Rights Affairs Office (HRAO) in Camp Crame launched the PNP human rights desk operations manual shortly before Christmas.

Newly installed HRAO chief Senior Superintendent Clarence Gunito said the manual is an important element in the PNP’s human rights development program.

Guinto said the manual delineates the duties and responsibilities of all human rights desk officers of the PNP throughout the country, laying down strict procedures the police should follow.

Two thousand copies of the manual were initially printed for distribution to the 1,744 PNP human rights desks, from the regional down to the provincial, city, municipal and station levels.

The launch coincided with Guinto’s assumption of the HRAO’s top post, replacing Chief Superintendent Franklin Bucayo, who was promoted to Police Regional Office (PRO) 1 director in San Fernando, La Union.

Guinto was the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) district directorial staff chief from June 2009 to June 2010, after which he became the PNP Legal Service’s deputy director before becoming HRAO chief.

During his stint as district directorial staff chief, Guinto introduced a counseling program wherein QCPD personnel who commit minor infractions such as absenteeism from command activities, tardiness during formation, and unauthorized drinking undergo counseling by the chaplain and external counselors from the Ateneo de Manila University Center for Family Ministry.

He worked for the activation of the QCPD Program Management Office (PMO), which oversees the implementation of the PNP Integrated Transformation Program at district level and ensures the implementation and documentation of best practices in the QCPD’s 12 police stations.

Guinto also initiated a three-day QCPD live-in planning seminar in January 2010 in coordination with the PNP PMO in Camp Crame. Seminar participants analyzed the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for change and improvement in the QCPD.