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MANILA, Philippines - Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairperson Loretta Rosales asked Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to explain his alleged shoot-to-kill orders to the Davao police.
In a letter sent on July 16, Tuesday, Rosales reminded Duterte to follow the police rules of engagement specified in the Philippine National Police (PNP) Human Rights-based Policing Guidelines.
“We must operate by rule of law,” Rosales said in the two-page letter.
The letter was issued after the CHR received successive reports that Duterte warned criminals to leave the city either “vertically or horizontally” (dead or alive).
“Compliance with human rights standards is not an obstacle to effective law enforcement,” Rosales added.
Rosales also noted that ascertaining the identity of suspected criminals should be done before any action is taken, citing the case of Sangguniang Kabataan councilor Randy Quirante, who was shot dead on mere suspicion that he was a car thief.
Rosales maintained that since death penalty has been abolished in the country, the highest punishment for convicted criminals is life imprisonment, equal to 20 to 40 years depending on the age of the criminal.
SHOOTOUT OR MURDER? CHR questions the actions of the Davao city police in the shooting incident that happened on July 11. Photo by Karlos Manlupig'Dont crucify the police'
On July 11, policemen killed 3 of the alleged kidnappers of a Filipino-Chinese woman in an entrapment operation at the parking lot of an Allied Bank branch in Davao.
While the police maintained that what happened was a firefight, an ABS-CBN footage showed a suspect placing his hands behind his head to surrender but was shot by a uniformed policeman.
Earlier, Duterte defended the Davao city police in an interview with ABS-CBN.
“Don’t crucify the police for doing their duty,” Duterte said.
Action needed
On July 17, Rosales also wrote Police Director General Alam Purisma to conduct a "speedy, just, fair and independent" investigation of 3 incidents - the alleged shoot-to-kill order, the killing of Quirante and the killing of two leaders of the Ozamiz robbery group.
"The killing of the individuals cited in 3 separate incidents without due process already deprives them of their basic human rights," the letter stated.
"No matter how strong the evidence may look, they are still deserving of the right to due process, fair trial and legal remedy," Rosales noted.
In an interview with Rappler and ZOE TV, Rosales said that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will be the one to act if Duterte is found guilty of giving such orders.
Rosales maintained that the CHR still has no clear sanctions if the mayor is found guilty.
“Let’s cross the bridge when we get there,” Rosales added.
Duterte, who won a 7th term as mayor in the 2013 midterm elections, had been criticized by human rights groups for allegedly condoning the murder of petty criminals during his previous term.
According to Rosales, as of July 17, Duterte has not yet replied to her letter. - Rappler.com
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