MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Thursday (Feb. 25) said it was looking forward to have a role in the investigation by a government multi-agency panel into thousands of killings related to President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
“We remain in anticipation of the full report of the review panel and look forward to be included in its processes,” said the CHR in a statement.
The agency made the statement in response to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra’s admission at the 46th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that there were lapses in thousands of police anti-drug operations that led to the killing of suspects. Guevarra, however, told UNHRC that the Philippine justice system was working.
He also told the UNHRC that his department would discuss with CHR ways to collaborate.
“At the very least, the findings of the investigations conducted and the review of the cases of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the administration’s so-called ‘war on drugs’ are a step in the right direction,” the CHR said.
“We appreciate that the secretary of justice declared that they will cooperate with us and committed to include us in the case buildup and evidence gathering in order to bridge victims of human rights violations with government,” it added.