MANILA, Philippines — Human rights group Amnesty International is “politicizing” the alleged cases of extra-judicial killings in the country, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Monday.
Panelo made the remark after the group slammed the administration for its lack of “meaningful accountability” on the government’s campaign against drugs that resulted in the death of thousands of drug suspects since its imposition.
READ: Rights group hits lack of ‘meaningful accountability’ in war on drugs
“Amnesty International is politicizing the so-called EJK in the country. There is bias. There is prejudice,” Panelo said in a press briefing.
He also noted that the basis for the call of Amnesty International for the deaths to be investigated “is actually wrong.”
“They keep on calling for an investigation ever since. The fact remains that the basis for their call is actually wrong. They are saying that there had been murders in the country as if all those killed were intentionally slaughtered or killed by the policemen,” Panelo said.
“But as we have repeatedly said, this is the result of legitimate police operations and those subject of these process have resisted violently and under the law the police officers are entitled to self-defense,” he added.
Panelo also claimed that international human rights groups “accept false reports and false narratives” from those against the administration.
“We’ll be asking them to show us, give us the figures then show us the facts and the circumstances surrounding all these deaths. Who are these people? Under what circumstances were they had been murdered or killed? But they cannot present, simply because they accept false reports and false narratives coming from those against the administration,” Panelo said.
‘Did they file a case? No.’
Panelo also questioned why charges have not been filed.
“The presumption of regularity in the course of public functions is there. They have investigated differently, then they should have filed a case. Did they file a case? No. They could have filed a case against the policemen and we would have welcomed it. As the president said we would not tolerate any abuse,” Panelo said.
When asked if the administration would accept if Amnesty International offers to help the families of the victims of the alleged EJK, Panelo explained that the country has its own organizations that can extend help.
“They don’t have to help because the family — we have our own organizations in human rights here. They can always assist them. We have PAO (Public Attorneys Office) to help poor litigates, we have IBP (Integrated Bar of the Philippines) for free legal services, they can always go there,” Panelo said.
“We’d rather have our own groups here on human rights to help those who feel that there has been police abuse in the matter of police operations,” he added. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)