PNP chief assures CHR: Abusive cops face heavy sanctions

Philippine National Police Chief, Gen. Nicolas Torre III. —File photo/Lyn Rillon

MANILA, Philippines — Newly installed Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III on Monday assured the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) that including the number of arrests as a means of assessing the performance of police officers will not lead to abuses.

Speaking as the guest of honor at the CHR’s flag-raising ceremony in Quezon City, Torre said he decided to pay a visit to the agency to explain his recent remarks in a press briefing on the day of his appointment as PNP chief.

“I find it very heartwarming that the CHR made their statement and expressed their concern that there’s a possibility that human rights may be violated with such a policy,” Torre said.

READ: CHR hails PNP chief Torre’s visit to main office

“Do not worry about my statement regarding the number of arrests. I really don’t believe that it will be abused,” he added.

Last week, the CHR said that by using the performance metrics, the PNP may “unintentionally pressure officers to prioritize quantity over quality” and risk “incentivizing shortcuts, abusive or arbitrary practices” within its ranks.

Torre, however, clarified that the promotion of police officers will be based on whether they have signed an affidavit of arrest and presented their testimony in court.

Carrot and stick

“There will be big rewards [for] those guys who will be signing affidavits of arrest, and equally heavy sanctions [for] those who will abuse them,” he said.

Police officers found to have committed a mistake in their testimonies may face dismissal from the service or a 60-day suspension for the first offense, according to Torre.

“[The] most basic job of the police is to arrest [criminals]. Your most basic receipt as the one who conducted the arrest is the affidavit of arrest,” the PNP chief told reporters after the flag-raising ceremony.

He also said that lethal force would be used as a last resort by law enforcers in arresting criminals, as he also assured the public that civil liberties would be respected during police operations.

“This is what I always emphasize: Lethal force will only be used as a last resort. We will arrest them alive. When you get a complaint at the CHR, we will meet each other there,” he said.

Article 11 of the Revised Penal Code outlines justifying circumstances and circumstances that exempt a person from criminal liability, according to Torre, as the police may have to defend themselves when they are in danger during operations. INQ