PNP chief: Cops must ‘observe, preserve’ rights in revamped ‘drug war’

FILE PHOTO: Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rommel Marbil on April 17, 2024. INQUIRER / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rommel Marbil rallied police officers to “observe human rights,”  “preserve human life,” and “enforce the law in proper order” amid the recalibrated campaign against illegal drugs.

On the occasion of International Humanitarian Day on August 12, Marbil told PNP officers and personnel during their flag ceremony in Camp Crame, Quezon City: “Dito po sa ating recalibrated na drug war, ang unang-una natin iintindihin eh pagtangkilik sa ating batas.” (In our recalibrated drug war, the first thing we are considering is the upholding of the law.)

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“Habang nandito po tayo sa bansa natin, nandito po kayo sa Pilipinas, lahat ng tao may pag-asa. Wala po tayong karapatan kunin ang buhay ng ibang tao,” he also said.

(While we are here in the country, in the Philippines, all people have hope. We have no right to claim the lives of other people.)

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Marbil continued: “Let us observe human rights, let us preserve human life.”

“We are called law enforcers. Let us enforce the law in proper order.”