Palace exec: Torture has no place in Aquino gov’t

A Palace official maintained that torture is unlawful and warned lawmen to abide by the rule of law.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said that torture violates the ideals of democracy and independence being promoted by the current administration.

“Wala pong lugar sa ating pamahalaan dahil labag sa batas at labag po sa ating mga adhikain ng demokrasya at kalayaan ‘yung paggamit ng torture (Torture has no place in the current administration because it violates the ideals of democracy and independence),” Coloma said.

Malacañang issued the statement after bar groups from Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Norway, France and the Philippines urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to address torture cases in the country, observing that it became “routine during interrogations by police officers.”

The groups also claimed that no one has been arrested or made liable since the Anti-Torture Act was implemented.

The lawyers’ groups asked DOJ to launch an independent and effective investigation on the torture cases in the country.

Coloma said lawmen should be the first ones who should follow the rule of law and not committing torture against civilians.

“Ang atin pong mga alagad ng batas ay pinaaalalahanan na kailangang ipatupad ang batas at sila mismo ang unang dapat sumunod sa batas at hindi rin magsagawa ng mga kahalintulad na aksyon dahil sila po ang nagpapatupad ng batas,” he added.

(Our law enforcers are reminded that they implement the law and are the first ones who should adhere to the rule of law.)

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