CHR presses probe into human rights violations during drug war

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday reiterated its call for the government to investigate alleged human rights violations during the bloody war on drugs under the term of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

This follows the conviction of former police officer Jefrey Sumbo Perez for the murders of teenagers Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo “Kulot” de Guzman, victims of the drug war.

READ: Cop found guilty of 2 teenagers’ killing in 2017 drug war

“The Commission once again urges the government to conduct a thorough investigation of all cases of alleged human rights violations related to the anti-illegal drug campaign,” said the CHR in a statement.

According to the CHR, the government must fulfill its obligation to protect the human rights of the citizens.

“We expect the State and its agents to uphold the highest ethical and moral standards in service, including transparency and a strong sense of accountability for instances of human rights violations,” said the commission.

The CHR has previously released a report saying that Duterte’s administration “encouraged a culture of impunity” during the implementation of the war on drugs.

“We continue to urge the government to proactively act on the pending allegations of human rights violations so that cases like that of Carl and Kulot reach the courts and meet the ends of justice,” said the CHR.

Duterte’s drug war was met with widespread condemnation from critics and human rights advocates, with the International Criminal Court set to investigate the anti-illegal drugs campaign.

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