Accountability within the Philippine National Police remains active and enforced, PNP chief General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said Thursday, as he disputed claims by an international rights group that domestic accountability for the previous administration’s drug war is inadequate.
Nartatez said the PNP respects the views of international rights groups but disagrees with the assessment.
“We respect the views of international rights groups but we do not agree that accountability mechanisms in the PNP are inadequate. We have strengthened internal investigations and made sure that police officers who violate the law are held accountable,” he said.
“Accountability is not just a policy statement for us; it is operational. Deaths and even minor injuries in any police operations are automatically investigated as part of protocol,” he added.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) earlier criticized the Philippine government for allegedly failing to ensure sufficient domestic accountability in the conduct of the drug war.
Nartatez also rejected claims that drug-related killings by police officers or unidentified assailants have continued under the Marcos Jr. administration.
“We acknowledge and respect any advocacy to uphold human rights and the rule of law, but it should be based on facts. What we can assure is that discipline, professionalism, and integrity are among the foundations of the continuing reforms in the PNP,” he said.
The PNP chief said reforms under his leadership focus on transparency in cases involving deaths during police operations to ensure lawfulness and accountability, while protecting human rights and sustaining the fight against illegal drugs through intelligence-driven and strategic operations.
