Cops can’t beat up suspects–Pimentel

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Should crime suspects be tortured even if they hurt police officers?

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, chair of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, says no.

Speaking during a joint congressional hearing on electoral issues, Pimentel said he shared the opinion of officials of Amnesty International who said that suspects are not fair game and should not be harmed, even in cases where police officers were the victims.

“If a police officer was killed, it seems acceptable to beat up the suspect. But that should really change. Regardless of who was killed, whatever the crime of the accused, nobody—not even the police official or law enforcer—has the right to harm the suspect or detainee,” said Pimentel.

The hearing also tackled the killing of two media practitioners, which were initially suspected to be connected to their election-related stories.

He said the suspects in the killings had bruises on their faces as seen in pictures taken after their arrest. One of the two was also a suspect in the ambush of a Quezon City police official.

In the same hearing, Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice said it was common knowledge that beating up suspects accused of killing police officers was a usual practice in the country.

Pimentel raised the alarm as he cited Amnesty International reports of torture in the Philippines where police officials have been implicated.

Pimentel has filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the findings of the international human rights organization on the increasing number of torture cases in the Philippines and the ill treatment of persons under police investigation.

These incidents took place despite the passage of the anti-torture law in 2009, the group had said.—Leila B. Salaverria