Ilocos PNP forms human rights body

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – The police regional office had established its own Human Rights Affairs Office (HRAO) yesterday to promote awareness against human rights violations. 

Anita Chauhan, regional chairwoman of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), welcomed the creation of the office saying it’s “a mechanism installed by the PNP to comply with human rights obligations.” 

“It is most welcomed by the CHR because we are an independent constitutional office and our role is to monitor how government complies with human rights obligations. I believe this is a mechanism installed by the government, especially the PNP to curb human rights violations, particularly those men in uniform,” Chauhan told The STAR after attending the opening of the office yesterday here. 

Chauhan said Region 1 is the pilot region for the setting up of HRAO and they will be providing assistance to personnel who will handle the office for institutional developments and capacity building. 

“We will serve as their consultant and we will help each other to be able to educate and protect policemen from human rights violations,” she said. 

Ilocos police director Chief Supt. Leo­poldo Bataoil said that personnel from the Regional Investigation and Detective and Management Division under Senior Superintendent Marlou Chan will man the office. 

“The office will serve as an advocate, to promote within our ranks, respect for human rights. We will monitor cases of human rights violations and we will investigate for appropriate sanctions,” Bataoil said. 

Bataoil said the HRAO will conduct an information drive to educate local policeman to always respect the human rights of suspects and other citizens.  – Jun Elias