Even Marcos vowed to uphold rights, CHR tells police chief

ROUGH DISPERSAL Quezon City policemen disperse protesters during the proclamation of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President-elect Sara Duterte on May 21. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Thursday pushed back against the supposed attempt by the Philippine National Police chief to curtail freedom of expression ahead of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s inauguration on June 30 and reminded the police to exercise maximum tolerance during protests.

In a statement, CHR executive director Jacqueline de Guia reminded acting PNP chief Gen. Vicente Danao that criticism and dissent “are part of a vibrant and functioning democracy” after he noted that he would allow protesters on Inauguration Day only as long as they chanted support for Marcos.

On Monday, Danao even expressed exasperation at protesters who “say things in the guise of human rights. We have been so accustomed to human rights, how about the ‘human wrongs’ you are doing?”

“While we note his concern in keeping the inauguration orderly, CHR continues to stress the primacy of upholding human rights, as similarly stressed by the president-elect himself during a meeting with the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines,” De Guia said.

“The freedom of speech, of expression, and the right of the people to assemble [peaceably] are guaranteed rights under the 1987 Constitution. These rights are meant to be enjoyed by all—regardless of whether they express dissent or support, may it be spoken or in any other form,” she added.

At the same time, De Guia reminded rallyists to keep the peace and not to resort to violence or harm while exercising their rights.

Not the first time

This is not the first time the CHR and the PNP found themselves at loggerheads regarding peaceful protests.

When Marcos was proclaimed two weeks ago, police violently dispersed a group of protesters who assembled at the CHR freedom grounds with water cannons and force. Several activists were injured.

At the time, the commission reminded the PNP to exercise maximum tolerance during peaceful assemblies.

“As fellow duty bearers, CHR reminds our government leaders and authorities that criticism or dissent is part of a vibrant and functioning democracy. CHR, on its part, will continue the work to protect and promote the human rights agenda,” she said.

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