The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has called on the government to make sure “strict guidelines” would be observed on its plan to revive an Alsa Masa-like vigilant group in the country.

CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said Monday the public must be assured by the government that violence done by Alsa-Masa in the 1980s would not happen again.

“While at its center is tapping the spirit of volunteerism, the Commission urges the government to ensure adherence to strict guidelines in its implementation that would prevent violations of human rights, including respect for due process and the rule of law,” De Guia said in a statement.

“The government must assure the country that this would not follow the history of the ‘Alsa Masa’ in the 1980s known for its abuses, especially that the government has yet to resolve allegations of human rights violations allegedly linked to the current government drug campaign,” she added.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier said it is mulling to reawaken a similar Alsa-Masa group in the country to fight crimes and illegal drugs.

PNP Deputy Director General Camilo Cascolan over the weekend said plans to expand the Community Mobilization Project were discussed during the 4th National Advisory Council Summit held in Santo Rosa City recently.

READ: PNP mulls over Alsa Masa-like network

However, former CHR chair Etta Rosales said Alsa-Masa was used during the Marcos administration to squelch legitimate dissent, labeling opposition leaders as communists. /kga

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