(FILE PHOTO) Newly appointed Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Police Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar gestures as he delivers his speech during his first Flag Raising and Assumption of Office as the 26th Chief of PNP in Camp Crame, Quezon City, on Monday, May 10, 2021. Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — After the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said that it will investigate the arrest of Anakbayan Naga chair Sasah Sta. Rosa, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it welcomes the investigation, adding that it is not their practice to weaponize the law.
“I would like to assure the CHR that the men and women of the police organization do not weaponize the law. It is not the PNP’s way to use the law to attack any citizen whom we are sworn to protect and serve. Our role is only to enforce what the law provides,” said PNP chief General Guillermo Eleazar in a statement to reporters.
This came after CHR announced that it will pursue an investigation on the arrest of Sta. Rosa.
On May 2, activist Sta. Rosa was taken and detained at the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group headquarters in Naga City for the alleged illegal possession of firearms and explosives — the usual charge among arrested left-leaning progressives.
According to Anakbayan, Sta. Rosa’s relatives were forcibly sent outside their residence and ordered to drop face down while the police conducted a search for about 40 minutes.
The authorities reportedly did not show any search warrant before it began its raid.
This led the CHR to pursue an independent investigation into the arrest of the activist.
Eleazar, however, assured CHR that the PNP continuously abides by the law and follows its mandate to act in accordance with the law.
“Bawat kilos ng ating kapulisan ay dapat na naaayon sa batas dahil mawawalang saysay ang aming pagiging law enforcers kung kami mismo ay hindi sumusunod sa batas. Sinisiguro ko sa CHR na patuloy na gagampanan ng PNP ang mandato nito,” said.
(Every action of our police must be in accordance with the law because our being law enforcers would become meaningless if we ourselves do not follow the law. I assure the CHR that the PNP will continue to fulfill its mandate.)
He explained that officers involved in search or arrest warrants are already particular when it comes to arresting members of progressive groups because they anticipate complaints like illegal operation, harassment or planting of evidence.
Eleazar then cited the presumption of regularity in the performance of official duties, which enables the authorities to “dispense” its “functions.”
“This can only be overturned by clear and convincing proof to the contrary, dahil kung hindi eh sigurado akong binaha na tayo noon pa ng samu’t-saring nuisance cases mula sa mga akusadong gusto lang makalusot sa kanilang krimen [Because if not, I am sure that we would have already been flooded by various nuisance cases from the accused who just want to get away with the crime],” said Eleazar.
“But if there are claims of police irregularity and they feel they have evidence to support that allegation, it is well within their rights to file a complaint. We are open to any investigation and whatever the outcome, we will accept and abide,” he added.
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