Drug war records not a national security issue — CHR

Who says drug war records are top secret? The Commission on Human Rights underscores it’s a criminal matter, not a security issue./ AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Thursday said that records on police drug war operations are not a national security issue, contrary to the President’s previous pronouncements.

“We echo the position of the Secretary of Justice that it is criminal in nature and therefore does not partake in a national security issue,” said CHR Spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia over ABS-CBN News Channel interview.

READ: DOJ, PNP walk a tightrope when it comes to drug war records

“And besides, the CHR is part of the government and we are very mindful of the data privacy act as well as all the nuances. And we will be operating within the framework of the law,” she added.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has initially given the Department of Justice (DOJ) access to 61 cases. However, the number has since decreased to 53 as eight cases are still on appeal, according to the police.

According to PNP, this is just a fraction of 5,665 police operations, which led to more than 7,000 deaths.

De Guia, however, said CHR still deem it a “welcome development.”

“Well, the way we see it, any positive development is a welcome development,” she said.

“We are hopeful that this is just a part of a more engaging partnership between the CHR and the government,” she added.

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