Fifteen police officers, alleged to have committed human rights violations, are at risk of facing criminal charges, according to the Philippine National Police.
Three of these alleged violations have gone viral on social media.
Among the 15 is a police officer who allegedly slapped a bus driver who supposedly tried to bribe him; an officer from Iligan who beats minors for violating the curfew; and a Taguig policeman who pointed his gun at two minors.
Police sources said an investigation suggested all 15 policemen were guilty of committing human rights abuses.
They would face charges of violating the Anti-Torture Act and would also face administrative cases, said PNP Human Rights Affairs Office director Chief Supt. Dennis Siervo.
“There are certain factors you need to filter in and what happened in that particular time, in that particular environment, that led him to do such act. There should be due process and investigation to be conducted,” Siervo said.
“We found that they indeed hit civilians. You’re not supposed to hit the person or the suspect, you have to protect their rights,” he said.
The 15 offenders include a chief inspector, a senior police officer 4, three PO2s and six neophyte PO1s, said Siervo.
PO1s account for the majority of offenses because they are at the helm of police operations, he said.
“They’re the ones conducting the patrol, a close engagement with the members of the community,” he added.
“Every day, when you are performing your duties as a policeman, you have to balance this infringement of rights,” he said.
But he stressed that police should never be lenient in enforcing the law.
“The infringement of rights should mean that you have to contain this right in order to prevent chaos, in order to prevent anarchy. If you say that rights are absolute, there should be limitation…” Siervo added.
