Naaalarma ang Commission on Human Rights (CHR) sa mga naitalang biktima ng gun violence na ilang lokal na opisyal ng Abra bago pa man ang national and local elections sa 2025.
Ayon sa CHR, paglabag daw ito sa karapatang pantao ng mga biktima. Maaari rin daw na konektado ito sa nalalapit na halalan lalo na at isang election hotspot ang Abra.
Ang paghahanda ng CHR para protektahan ang karapatan pantao ng mga Pilipino para sa paparating na national and local elections, alamin mula sa CHR Chairman Richard Palpal-latoc sa kanyang panayam sa #TheMangahasInterviews.
Ayon sa CHR, paglabag daw ito sa karapatang pantao ng mga biktima. Maaari rin daw na konektado ito sa nalalapit na halalan lalo na at isang election hotspot ang Abra.
Ang paghahanda ng CHR para protektahan ang karapatan pantao ng mga Pilipino para sa paparating na national and local elections, alamin mula sa CHR Chairman Richard Palpal-latoc sa kanyang panayam sa #TheMangahasInterviews.
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NewsTranscript
00:00The Commission on Human Rights is targeting the series of shootings in the province of Abra this past month.
00:11It is said that it might launch a culture of impunity and threat to the people, especially when May is coming.
00:20Let's talk to the Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, Mr. Attorney Richard Palpalato.
00:28Good day, sir.
00:30Good day, Ms. Malu. Good day to your audience.
00:34Chairman, what you're doing is good, targeting Abra in the lens of human rights, such as suffrage, right to life, etc.
00:43But if we really look at the upcoming elections, there are many provinces or towns where such incidents might happen again.
00:53Are you planning to conduct a survey or audit? Are the hotspots connected to the existence of political families in these areas?
01:04Because usually, the story of the town is like that. They are fighting, they are rivals in politics and there is violence every now and then.
01:12As far as I know, the Commission has not studied the relation of political dynasties to violence.
01:25Although, this is one of the reasons why we suspect that there is violence in one place.
01:33We are continuously monitoring this.
01:36Maybe in the future, especially as you mentioned, the Commission will look into this.
01:42Maybe we can study this and we can help to resolve and give a solution to these incidents.
01:51They also said, when it comes to electoral violence, they are talking about the election season,
01:56there are more voters who die or the campaigners or ward leaders of the candidates.
02:05That's one of the types, sometimes there is a disparity as to who is right for the violence.
02:13There are more voters who have no protection or can't fight for themselves compared to the candidates who are fighting because they are equal to each other.
02:24That's one of the reasons. It's important to look into this because these people, compared to the political clans or dynasties or leaders themselves,
02:37these people who are victims are underprivileged. They need the help of the government.
02:47To be honest, the exemption or getting a permit to carry firearms during the election period, not just during the campaign period,
02:58they are asking for a permit from the Comelet who is applying.
03:01But our problem is, you mentioned earlier who will ask for a permit and who will give it.
03:09On the other hand, there is also the proliferation of loose firearms or unlicensed firearms.
03:16These are the two possible reasons for electoral violence.
03:23If we look at it, those who are used in crime, usually loose firearms, those registered firearms owners should be careful because they know the responsibility of owning firearms.
03:42It's better to look at the loose firearms because they are used in crime.
03:48They don't have a record and you can't trace where they came from or who they are.
03:54That's why it's better to be careful and confiscate all these loose firearms.
04:02But that will be a big action or duty of the police.
04:08If it comes out to you, all government agencies are hoping that the police will be involved in the issue of confiscating the loose firearms.
04:19You're right. We have seen in the past that the police is strict in enforcing the law against the loose firearms.
04:30I know that they have a program where they will go to the former owners of firearms who are not registered anymore
04:39to remind them to register or confiscate.
04:46Aside from that, their checkpoints where they catch loose firearms, those are good actions.
04:57That's why we know that there are still firearms that are not registered.
05:05Yes. It's still in the hands of the police and it's being hidden. That's why our police can't see it.
05:12Yes. It's a threat to the police because they need to catch these loose firearms.
05:18What are the duties of our barangay officials? Because they are like the eyes and ears on the ground.
05:27In relation to the law, I hope that we will have a relationship with the program we are doing,
05:35to strengthen or revitalize our barangay human rights action center.
05:40The commission made this initiative to strengthen the barangay human rights action centers in different barangays.
05:51If this will be effective, I hope that these action officers will be our body to monitor,
06:00to have immediate action on these kinds of incidents.
06:05Okay. What will be their duty if ever?
06:09Referral. Documentation of incidents, then referral to an appropriate agency
06:16if there is a crime against the police and if there is a violation of human rights in the commission of human rights.
06:25Is there a legal service or service of a lawyer that will be offered?
06:30In relation to the law?
06:32Yes. These referral centers.
06:35Yes. These referral mechanisms. We have a legal office in charge of providing legal aid to the people in need, especially the underprivileged.
06:52Chairman, this upcoming election, midterm elections only, but of course, the first parliamentary election in Bangsamoro, in BARMM.
07:01What are you looking for? Is it more heated, the removal and the violence that can happen?
07:08I hope not. I hope not. We are dreaming that there will be no election-related violence.
07:17We cannot foresee how bad or how not bad the election-related violence will be.
07:25But we hope that our electorate will mature, as well as those who aspire to be elected,
07:37to be civilized in participating in this democratic process.
07:45Because what we need is not violence, but our principles.
07:52Chairman, we cannot avoid it, but we just want to ask you.
07:56You are monitoring and participating in the Quadcom and the hearings in the Senate on cases of extrajudicial killings and POGO-related violence or trafficking.
08:09What is your focus here? What can the Commission on Human Rights help with?
08:15And so far, the revelations or the discovery of information in these hearings, what is your focus that the CHR can do?
08:26You are right. The Commission is actively participating in this. I am the one attending the Quadcom.
08:35Based on the hearings, there are a lot of revelations and a lot of new facts that came out.
08:43The Commission can help with our investigation, especially on the deaths in relation to the drug war.
08:52We are still investigating the other cases of the EJ case at that time.
09:03Based on the Quadcom hearings, there are new details that came out and we will consult with the committee of the Congress
09:17so that we can share our house with their details and evidence to help with our investigation.
09:30Chairman, to be fair, in the previous administration, there was a special committee, the Department of Justice at that time,
09:38and they investigated 52 cases where there were gaps or errors or problems in the police work and in the actual incident.
09:48Is this really according to police protocol or outside the rights of the victims?
09:58There were almost 50 cases that were investigated and brought to the CHR. Do you have an update on the status of those cases?
10:08The EJ cases investigated by the Commission are mostly motu proprio.
10:17These are the cases without a complainant and the Commission itself moved to investigate.
10:25We don't know the number of cases investigated by the Executive Department and the police.
10:34What I know is that their number is lower compared to ours and also compared to the number of civil society organizations.
10:45But what we understand is that the cases investigated by the Commission, our number is higher than that of the police.
10:57I think your number exceeded 100, aside from the DOJ cases.
11:03Chairman, I just want to ask you.
11:05Until now, it is not clear, the reports are not consistent with how many were killed during the war on drugs of the previous administration.
11:16The number of the government in the Philippine National Police actual reports, annual reports is only 23,000.
11:25Sorry, it's only 6,000.
11:28The number of civil society organizations exceeded 20,000.
11:36What is the truth? Does the CHR have the right number? How many were killed?
11:43We don't know the details of each one.
11:50But what we have is actual deaths, reported deaths where the Commission investigated.
11:59These are the victims of police operations and unidentified assailants.
12:06It means that I don't know who did it, but it's drug-related.
12:13That's our number. I don't remember how many, maybe 6,000 or 8,000.
12:19Does the CHR have a duty or role that everyone is waiting for?
12:28Will the International Criminal Court of Investigators go to the Philippines?
12:35We don't have a role in the investigation of the ICC.
12:41This is an independent or separate international body or court that listens to this case.
12:49Although we have already declared that this is an institutional stand of the Commission,
12:58that if they ask for our help, we will go ahead.
13:03There is no formal invitation for you to help or add information on the results of your investigations?
13:14There is no formal request from us, but I don't know if they will need it.
13:23I don't know if they will need our help, but if they do, we will be happy to help.
13:52Even though our government said that they will not help formally or openly,
14:03sometimes they will help and sometimes they will not. What is the position of our government?
14:10Based on the last statements, I know that the government will not help.
14:17But you have a duty as a Human Rights Commission to help,
14:25because even in the United Nations, you are the one who is responsible for the Universal Periodic Review,
14:31reports and observance of UN protocols and covenants. Is that the situation?
14:37You are right, because the Commission on Human Rights is an independent National Human Rights Institution.
14:44We are known in the United Nations and we have a mandate to monitor the situation of our country when it comes to human rights.
14:59One of the important roles of the Commission is to manage the international human rights mechanism, which is the ICC.
15:09Have you not been threatened by the police or the government,
15:15who are usually targeting the victims of the EJK,
15:20not the police who have a regularity in their operations,
15:26and they also have members who died or were killed in these operations.
15:33Has the police not been threatened that the CHR is too panic?
15:38Please explain that. I know it's like state violence,
15:41they should be targeting state violations. What is the situation?
15:46In my opinion, the Commission's mandate is more understandable now.
15:53That's why the Commission is more focused on the government,
15:59especially on the state forces, uniformed personnel,
16:03because the mandate to protect and promote human rights is the primary obligation of the government.
16:13As a human rights watchdog, the Commission is monitoring the actions of the government.
16:23It's normal that we are always monitoring the actions or inactions of our state forces.
16:34I hope they understand now the role of the Commission.
16:39I always say this, we are the human rights watchdog.
16:44Naturally, we have to observe, criticize,
16:48whatever needs to be done in order to fulfill the government's obligation.
16:54But the Commission still has an important mandate.
16:59We have a bridging role as a national human rights institution.
17:04We are the link between the government and our civil society, our citizens.
17:11Because we are the link between the government and our civil society,
17:15we know the problems and we bring them to the government
17:20and we recommend the proper response to these problems.
17:25That's what we are highlighting.
17:28We have two roles, one as a monitor and one as a witness.
17:35Is there no evidence regarding our soldiers or uniformed services?
17:42Usually, why do the rebels have violations,
17:48or there are people who were killed or raped by the citizens,
17:55but the CHR does not investigate them?
17:58Well, there was a time when there was such a thing.
18:01I think they understand because we also investigate the actions
18:08committed by non-state forces or non-state actors
18:14pursuant to the international humanitarian law.
18:17In fact, there are many cases where the Armed Forces of the Philippines filed to the Commission
18:24against non-state actors and the Commission investigates them.
18:28We are not only focused on state forces,
18:34but also on non-state actors in relation to the international humanitarian law.
18:40You mean the CPP-NPA, our rebels?
18:45Yes.
18:46Who do you employ and what is the legal relief if you cannot talk to them or ask them?
18:53That's the challenge actually.
18:55That's our challenge because we know that there are aliases and we don't know the addresses.
19:03But for the Commission, it's important for us to determine whether the acts are violative of human rights principles.
19:17The criminal accountability, if there is one, is in the government,
19:23in the Department of Justice, in our court to determine.
19:26For us, it's important to know that there is violation of human rights.
19:32Please tell us, what are your new initiatives, Chairman?
19:36The program of the Commission is active in improving its services.
19:43We are digitalizing our services.
19:48We launched this July our own Management Information System Monitoring Outlet.
19:57It's an online complaint portal.
20:00Aside from walk-in complaints, people can file complaints through the Internet.
20:10What are the complaints that can be filed?
20:13Any complaint that violates human rights.
20:17Is it mainly from the government agency?
20:21It's not only from the government agency.
20:27As gender ombudsman in the Magna Carta of Women, we also monitor in relation to gender-based violence.
20:39It's also included in the Commission's monitoring and investigation.
20:43As for the violation of the rights of children, we are monitoring it.
20:48Even if it's a violation or abuse of private individuals.
20:55You have a lot of work.
20:58But do you have a fund?
21:00Are you not being harassed by the Congress for a one-peso budget per year?
21:04I heard that the Congress visited the CHR and said that your budget will be deducted.
21:11Is your budget request approved as you requested?
21:17The budget that we are asking for based on our freedom, it will not be given.
21:29We were given enough for now, but it's not enough.
21:35It's enough in the sense that you can operate normally.
21:40But to fulfill all the mandate that was given to you, it's a bit difficult.
21:46But we are still doing it.
21:49And our experiences in the budget process, we accept it because there are times when the Commission's stand is against the policies and the stand of our lawmakers and officials.
22:10But we are just looking at it and we are fulfilling our mandate as a Human Rights Commission.
22:18Okay.
22:19To be honest, you are just a few of the independent commissions that are included in the Constitution.
22:26Audit, Civil Service, Commission on Elections.
22:30Of course, the Ombudsman, we include you there.
22:33But I think you are the poorest.
22:35You are right.
22:38And I think you are also the type that is not clear on how far you will support, if you want to scale up or scale up your workforce and your projects.
22:50Well, that's what we are experiencing but I hope it will change.
22:56Okay.
22:58Chairman, I think your workforce is mostly senior.
23:04Because if you were formed in 1987, your workforce has passed 30 years.
23:12That's also a problem.
23:13The aging of our workforce.
23:15What is your plan to turn over to the younger generation?
23:21You're right.
23:22In fact, that's one of the issues that we always encounter during budget hearings.
23:28Why can't you fill up?
23:29We are filling up.
23:31While others are retiring.
23:33Because we have reached the period where the workforce is about to retire.
23:40Correct.
23:41We are actively filling up positions.
23:45Our target by next year is to fill up 100%.
23:49No one will resign.
23:51No one will retire.
23:53But we can't avoid it.
23:54It's always like that.
23:56If your majority of people are 30 years old and their loyalty is unforgivable,
24:03what is the total workforce and what is the group that is retirable or wants to retire?
24:10We have around 800 plantilia items.
24:14We filled up around 600.
24:17But for now, our employees are in the younger generation.
24:24Okay.
24:25There are only a few.
24:27Are there many people who applied and are interested to help the Commission on Human Rights?
24:33Do our millennials have that inclination to help a poor institution,
24:40but important work like the Commission on Human Rights?
24:43There are many.
24:45That's why we are happy because the young people are the ones who are interested to join the Commission.
24:53These are the idealistic individuals, the young generation,
25:00pure of idealism, who believe in the work of the Commission.
25:05I hope we can hire all of them if we can.
25:08What are your skill sets?
25:13Do they need lawyers?
25:15Do they need research experience?
25:20What are your preferred employee or applicant employees?
25:28It depends on the position.
25:30There are lawyers, investigators, researchers, etc.
25:34Of course, we know the basic requirements of each position.
25:38But for me personally, I need someone who has a heart,
25:43who is passionate about their work.
25:47We know that the budget is low,
25:50so we need someone who is passionate and passionate so we can continue to work.
25:57It's hard to find someone who is passionate and passionate.
26:02I'm running out of hope.
26:04I hope there's still someone.
26:06Okay, Chairman.
26:07Let's keep an eye on Abra.
26:09I hope we have some forward steps.
26:12Let's see where this series of violence will continue.
26:18Yes.
26:19You can count on it.
26:21The commission will submit its mandate and will look into these incidents.
26:28Do you still have a regional office in BARM?
26:32Yes, we have a regional office.
26:35In Abra, our CHR CAR is located there.
26:39It's the 4th Administrative Region.
26:42They are the ones who are located there.
26:44Our regional office there, the employees there,
26:48I'm sure they are already working on it.
26:50We are the ones who are thankful, Chairman.
26:52I hope to see an update on your investigation.
26:56Maybe it's important to explain it to the people
27:00because it seems like there's no progress.
27:03There's no suspect or investigation report coming out.
27:11You can count on it.
27:12If there's an update on our investigation,
27:16we will be able to share it with you.
27:22We are the ones who are thankful.
27:23Keep safe, Chairman Richard Palpalato of the Commission on Human Rights.
27:28Thank you very much, sir.
27:30Thank you very much and good afternoon.