CA lauded for giving protection to ‘Tokhang’ survivor, kin of victims
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Thursday commended the Court of Appeals (CA) for its decision of granting a survivor and relatives of victims of “Oplan Tokhang” a permanent protection order.
“The issuance of a permanent protection order in relation to the Writ of Amparo filed in behalf of victims of Extra Judicial Killings in Payatas, Quezon City sends a strong message from the Judiciary of its adherence to the rule of law and its commitment to upholding human rights in the country,” CHR said in a statement.
“It is also an affirmation that the methodologies used by the police in carrying out the campaign on drugs ought to be revisited as it is fraught with flaws and is susceptible to abuse as it may be a convenient cover for rouge elements within the PNP (Philippine National Police) to commit other crimes,” it added.
The CA last week issued the resolution hours after it conducted a hearing on the writ of amparo petition filed by lone survivor Efren Morillo and the relatives of Marcelo Daa Jr., Raffy Gabo, Anthony Comendo and Jessie Kule.
The respondent police officers are not allowed within one kilometer of the petitioners’ homes or work addresses and were reassigned to an area outside Quezon City and Montalban in Rizal.
The CA also ordered the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) to provide Morillo and the families of the slain victims the results of their investigation.
READ: CA orders transfer of cops to protect ‘Tokhang’ survivor, kin of victims
The human rights agency seeks to prevent “abuse of power by state agents that wantonly disregard adherence to the rule of law and lack of respect for human rights.”
It has also expressed its stand on deaths allegedly committed by the police in the campaign against illegal drugs in its previous statement.
READ: ‘War on drugs now just cover for cops’ crimes’
“We urge the PNP to ensure accountability for its actions, justice for all the deaths perpetrated, and to ensure the safety of victim-survivors of ‘Oplan Tokhang,’” the agency reiterated. RAM/rga
