Albayalde asks critics of PH’s election to UNCHR to help government

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde has asked critics of the country’s election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to help the government instead.

Albayalde said in a press briefing on Monday that detractors of the current administration should not shame the country when other countries have not found any proof of human rights violations.

“‘Iyong ibang bansa wala silang nakikitang paglabag sa karapatang pantao.  Siguro tayo, kung meron, might as well help the government instead of pinapahiya na lang natin ‘yong ating bansa in other countries (Other countries cannot find human rights violations in our operations. We might as well help the government instead of shaming our country),” the PNP chief said.

“Mas maganda pa sigurong magpasalamat and probably help the government na kung talagang meron silang nakikita (It may be advisable to thank the government and probably help if they can see any human rights violation),” he added.

According to Albayalde, the PNP is honored with the country’s election to the UNHRC, which indicates that international communities recognize the improved approach to human rights.

“The Philippines’ election to the UNHRC is a clear manifestation of the international community’s recognition of our steady progress in fulfilling international human rights obligations,” he said.

Despite strong opposition from other member-states, the Philippines was elected to the UNHRC on Friday.  Government officials claimed that the move showed confidence in the current administration’s human rights record.

However, critics including Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano said that the country’s membership to the UNHRC was ironic because of the countless allegations of human rights violations due to Oplan Tokhang, the current administration’s war on illegal drugs.

READ: PH election to UN rights committee draws praise, flak

 
Albayalde said critics should thank other countries for recognizing the Philippines’ effort.

“Dapat nga magpasalamat tayo dahil majority of the countries worldwide ay ni-recognize ang ating bansa, I don’t know kung anong reason kung bakit ‘yong ibang tao ay iba ang pananaw kapag ganyan, pabor iyong desisyon sa ating bansa.  Dapat siguro tayo ay magpasalamat (We should be grateful that majority of countries worldwide recognized our country. I don’t know why other people have different views. The decision was favorable to us),” he noted.

He also assured that respecting human rights is part of the police’s policy.

“We can assure you that dito sa Philippine National Police, human rights is well-entrenched, it is an institutional policy actually, it is a part of our standard,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte was elected on a campaign promise centered on eradicating illegal drugs and corruption. Since he took office, the PNP has recorded more than 4,800 deaths due to legitimate anti-drug operations.  However, opposition groups claim that around 11,000 to 22,000 have been killed.

Duterte is currently facing complaints from certain groups before the International Criminal Court for allegedly committing crimes against humanity for state-sponsored the killings of supposed drug suspects. /ee

READ: Drug war critics file complaint vs Duterte for ‘crimes against humanity’