Ombudsman’s ruling to toss Manila secrets jail case hurts rights movement – CHR

FILE PHOTO: The Tondo “secret detention cell.” 

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said Tuesday the Ombudsman’s decision to throw out criminal and administrative charges against police officers over a secret detention cell in Manila was a significant “setback” in their efforts to fight human rights abuses.

In a statement, the CHR said they filed the charges to ensure accountability among erring police officers.

“Scalawags among the police ranks will not be truly dealt with if those who have committed serious violations, particularly concerning fundamental human rights, are not held to account,” the commission said.

CHR said the practice may persist and may embolden police officers and authorities to do the same.

The commission held MPD accountable for shocking and dehumanizing violations of the detainees’ rights.

They recalled that in 2017, the House Committee on Human Rights “unanimously recommended” filing charges against erring cops.

According to the commission, the police are in breach of their own operational procedures and human rights standards.

“The liabilities of the police not only [breach] human rights standards but also their very own police operational procedures. Their lapses and actions, in this case, negated their very mandate, which is “to serve and protect.” they said.

The CHR called on the Office of the Ombudsman to “thoroughly review” its decision, saying that they must work together to prevent grave abuses from happening again.

“It is crucial that we preserve the faith of the people in the rule of law by demonstrating with resolve that justice can ultimately prevail” the CHR concluded.

In 2017, the CHR found 12 detainees inside a secret detention cell in MPD Station 1 in Tondo.

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