AFP told: Respect CHR visitorial powers

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) yesterday called on the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to recognize its visitorial powers by stating “clearly and without equivocation” that such an authority of the constitutional body must be respected by all members of the military and its establishments.

On the occasion of the review of the Graduated Curriculum on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law for the Military and Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Units (CAFGUs), CHR Chairman Leila de Lima emphasized in her speech that such an authority of the CHR is mandated under the Constitution, thus the commission “must be given absolute, unimpeded, and unhampered access to all locations where detainees are held.”

De Lima said the CHR is neither obliged to give advance notice for its visits nor observe the conditions to which detainees are routinely subjected “when the officers in charge are given time to clean up before we arrive.”

She added that the AFP cannot impose on the CHR to be off-limits to certain areas due to “security reasons.”

De Lima said, “There must be no advanced notice requirement… (and) there must be no designation of off-limit areas.”

“This is not open to debate. The constitutional mandate is clear,” she said.